Perth Glory coach Kenny Lowe has put his faith in local talent with more than half his squad now hailing from the state of Western Australia.
It’s a powerful statement of faith as the club looks to end their Hyundai A-League trophy drought, in this the club’s 20th anniversary year.
Some of the new WA talent includes Caltex Socceroos and former A-League Golden Boot Adam Taggart, ex Aston Villa player Chris Herd and Rhys Williams, who spent 11 years at Middlesbrough.
Taggart is expected to form a lethal partnership up front with Irish international and crowd favourite Andy Keogh.
They join a core of WA talent including veteran Richard Garcia, captain and Socceroo Josh Risdon, defensive lynchpin Shane Lowry and livewire striker Chris Harold.
But the capstone to this impressive looking squad is the return of “El Maestro” Diego Castro, the reigning Johnny Warren medallist, current club MGP and recipient of five club awards.
Jamal Reiners, Mitchell Oxborrow, Kosta Petratos, Jordan Thurtell and Brandon Wilson will add some youthful enthusiasm while the squad also contains Southampton academy product Joseph Mills, former Celtic goalkeeper Nick Feely and free-kick specialist Nebojsa Marinkovic.
To prepare for Season 2016/17, Glory head to the Philippines on July 18 for three friendly games over 10 days, including one against the Azkals, the Philippines’ national team.
This will be followed by Glory’s first competitive game of the new campaign in the Westfield FFA Cup. Lowe’s men will be away to Brisbane Roar on Wednesday August 10.
Glory’s first game of the new Hyundai A-League season kicks off at nib Stadium on October 8. They will face a revitalised Central Coast Mariners.
