Perth Glory have signed one of their top targets in former Brisbane Roar forward Nikola Mileusnic.
Mileusnic has signed a one-year deal with David Zdrilic’s new-look Glory following his departure from Brisbane at the end of 2023-24.
The versatile 31-year-old scored five goals in the Isuzu UTE A-League and six across all competitions as the Roar reached the 2023 Australia Cup final under former boss Ross Aloisi.
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During his three seasons in Brisbane, he scored 14 goals in all competitions.
“After initially engaging with the club, I felt like they really knew the direction they wanted to go in and how to get there,” he said.
“Speaking to [Head Coach] David Zdrilic, the way he wants his team to set up and play I feel really suits me as a player and the way I see the game and like to play.
“I feel that I can contribute positively to the team on and off the field and I can’t wait to get there, meet the boys and get started.”
Mileusnic has nearly reached the 150-game mark in the Isuzu UTE A-League since debuting for Adelaide United in 2016, having also spent time abroad with Randers in Denmark.
He has tallied 25 goals and 17 assists in the A-League.
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“Nikola was one of the first players I targeted to bring to the club and I’m thrilled that we got him over the line,” said Glory football director Stan Lazaridis.
“I thought we lacked pace going forward last season and he provides that, plus he is a player who is reliable, stays fit and is really hungry.”
Mileusnic’s announcement came hours after the signing of Japanese triallist Hiroaki Aoyama.
Josh Risdon, Brandon O’Neill, Andriano Lebib (first scholarship contract), Khoa Ngo (first scholarship contract), Zach Lisolajski, Anas Hamzaoui, Nathanael Blair, Nicholas Pennington, Taras Gomulka, Will Freney (first scholarship contract), Adam Bugarija, Abdelelah Faisal and Lachlan Barr have also joined Perth as new boss Zdrilic rebuilds the Glory, who finished bottom last season.
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“Nikola really fits the system that we will be employing this season and he brings a level of experience which will benefit the whole squad,” Zdrilic said.
“Versatile enough to play as an out-and-out winger or as a striker, he has the ability to provide ammunition for our other attacking threats and also get in behind and score himself.”
