Former Central Coast Mariners defender Jake McGing and ex-Adelaide United midfielder George Mells are back in the Hyundai A-League, joining Robbie Fowler’s revolution at Brisbane Roar.
The pair both join Roar after stints in Europe and have become new head coach Robbie Fowler’s fifth and sixth signings ahead of pre-season training next week.
Two more locked in! 🔒
Australian duo Jake McGing & @GeorgeMellsJnr have signed on in orange ahead of @ALeague Season 2019/20!
📰 https://t.co/4Tcb0ek9ZA#RoarAsOne pic.twitter.com/9cejNsLspk
— Brisbane Roar FC (@brisbaneroar) June 26, 2019
McGing, 25, left the Mariners in March to join Polish club Wisla Plock in the Ekstraklasa. He made just 12 appearances in four months at the club before mutually parting company last week.
In four seasons with the Mariners, McGing played 84 games and scored four goals.
After Roar conceded a league-record 71 goals last season, Fowler has unsurprisingly moved swiftly to bolster his defence. McGing is the third defensive recruit the ex-Liverpool great has made this week after the additions of Scotsman Tom Aldred and young Englishman Macaulay Gillesphey on Tuesday.
“I’m absolutely buzzing to be here. Just checking out the training ground and seeing all the facilities, it’s top-notch,” McGing told Roar’s official website.
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“I’m just really happy to get started and play with Brisbane Roar. It’s a club that deserves to be at the top.
“I’m hoping to be someone that the fans can always rely on and bring as much success to the club as possible.”
Mells, who is a former youth academy player at English clubs Chelsea and Southampton, returns to Australia from Dutch Eredivisie side Fortuna Sittard.
The 22-year-old midfielder was part of the Adelaide United squad that won the Premiership and Championship double in 2015/16 and wants more silverware with Roar.
“It’s a massive club which has won many championships. I’ve won one myself in Adelaide so I would love to add another to that list,” Mells said.
“I think once you get a taste of having success you just want more and that’s something I’m going to try and bring to the club.
“The Roar have had some top players over the years in midfield, like Matt McKay for example. If I can resemble some of his performances for the club, I think it’s a job well done.”
Irishman Roy O’Donovan and Welsh striker Aaron Amadi-Holloway are the other players to have also been confirmed by Brisbane this week.
