After eight years in Norway and Turkey, new Melbourne Victory signing Michael Petkovic believes he’s returning to Australia a better all-round goalkeeper than when he left.
Petkovic – a three-time NSL Goalkeeper of Year during his six seasons with South Melbourne in the NSL – has been signed on a one-year deal to replace Mitch Langerak, now with Borussia Dortmund in the German Bundesliga.
But the 33-year-old is taking nothing for granted and expects to have to fight for the role as the club’s No.1 custodian with New Zealand international Glenn Moss.
“I’m just a squad member of 23 and I’ve got to prove myself and get myself fit and make sure that I’m the man for the job,” said Petkovic at AAMI Park on Wednesday.
“I didn’t have any expectation that I would be a walk-in for the No.1.”
“Mossy is an international and he’s performed well over the years and we’re both competing for that No.1 spot.”
Petkovic, who has six Socceroos caps to his credit, said he believes he’s a better ‘keeper now than when he departed Australia for Lillestrom in 2001, followed by stints at Trabzonspor and Sivasspor in Turkey.
“I’m certainly more experienced,” he said.
“I probably played a couple of hundred games in the NSL and another couple of hundred overseas, so you’re looking at 400 games in a professional career.”
“I’ve learned a lot and hopefully become a better goalkeeper for it.”
Shoulder and wrist injuries restricted Petkovic to just 15 appearances with Sivasspor last season, but he’s now over his fitness issues and looking forward to winning titles with the Victory.
“I was ready to come home … but I still want to perform at the highest level and also to win something,” Petkovic said.
“I left South Melbourne winning trophies and towards the end of my career I would love to win another trophy and the Melbourne Victory is probably the best club to give me that opportunity.”
Asked why the one-year deal, Petkovic said: “Obviously I’m from Perth, but I just wanted to see how I go after the first year.”
“If things go well and things become successful between the club and I then I would definitely be interested in going on as long as I can.”
“I started my professional career in Melbourne and to finish my professional career in Melbourne is something I probably always dreamed of doing.”
Petkovic said he’d followed the A-League closely via cable television from Turkey and had marvelled at the changes to the domestic game in the eight years he’s been away.
“You just look at the stadium here now and the support that Melbourne get, it’s changed and awful lot from when I playing in the NSL,” he said.
“It’s changed hugely and it’s great to see because you want to play in this type of environment week-in, week-out.”
