Melbourne Victory’s chances of pushing for the finals over the closing months of the A-League season have been boosted with former star striker Danny Allsopp re-signing with the club on a long-term deal.
Allsopp, a foundation member of the Victory and championship winner in 2006-07, has been playing in America but will rejoin the club next month.
The 32-year-old has penned a 27-month deal with the club, which runs until the end of the 2012-13 season.
“When things didn-t quite work out overseas, there was only once place I wanted to be – and that was here at Melbourne Victory,” Allsopp said on Friday.
“We achieved so much in those first 4 years, and now I’m really keen to get back out there with the boys again and help push us towards the finals.”
Allsopp, who is the third highest goalscorer in A-League history, is still awaiting an international clearance and likely to play his first game back in the away clash with Wellington Phoenix on January 5.
His signing comes at a crucial time with the club on the cusp of the top six and with Archie Thompson likely to be on the sidelines for three weeks with a hamstring injury.
The club could also lose Robbie Kruse to the Socceroos’ squad for the Asian Cup.
“With Archie out for the next month, this signing couldn-t have come at a better time,” Victory coach Ernie Merrick said.
“Danny already knows how we like to play, so we-re confident he-ll hit the ground running.”
“When we can get Robbie (Kruse), Archie (Thompson), Ricardinho and Danny all fit and on the park at the same time, we-re going to score plenty of goals.”
