Perth Glory have confirmed the signing of defender Jeremy Walker and attacker Mitch Mallia on injury replacement contracts.
Walker arrives as cover for Marc Warren who has suffered an ankle injury while Mallia joins the club as a replacement for Joel Chianese, with the winger sidelined with a collarbone complaint.
Walker has previous Hyundai A-League experience having registered 16 appearances for Melbourne Heart between 2012 and 2014.
A tenacious defender who can operate at both left and right-back, the 24-year-old made his Hyundai A-League debut against Sydney FC in December 2012 having previously attended the Tasmanian Institute of Sport and played for Oakleigh Cannons while in Heart’s NYL side.
After parting company with Heart in 2014, he joined Hume City and then moved to England where he turned out for Concord Rangers and Braintree Town in the Conference South.
The former Australia Under-20 international returned to Hume City in 2016 before joining Green Gully for whom he made 25 appearances in the NPL Victoria last season.
Mallia also has extensive Hyundai A-League experience. He became the youngster player ever to represent Central Coast Mariners in the Hyundai A-League when he made his senior debut, ironically against Glory, in January 2010.
He then spent three seasons with Sydney FC, making 17 appearances, 6 of which were starts.
The ex-Australia Under-17 and Under-23 international left Sydney FC in 2014 and joined NPL NSW side Blacktown City for whom he has since averaged a goal almost every other game.
It was this sparkling form that brought him to Glory’s attention according to the club’s Head of Football, Jacob Burns.
“We keep a very close eye on who is performing well in the various NPL competitions around the country and we’re always willing to give those players an opportunity, as we’ve shown with our recent signings of Joe Knowles and Daniel Stynes,” Burns said.
“Mitch was Blacktown City’s standout player as they enjoyed a very successful season.
“Obviously he has previous A-League experience and he’s quick, has great technical ability, an eye for goal and can use both feet.
“Several other A-League clubs were keen to secure Mitch’s services, so we’re delighted that he opted to join us here in the West.”
