The prospect of returning forward Andrew Nabbout combining with Ola Toivonen and fellow old boy Robbie Kruse is one that is sure to have Melbourne Victory fans salivating.
Melbourne-born attacker Nabbout has spent the last 16 months with J-League outfit Urawa Red Diamonds but is set to play a crucial role in a new era for the four-time Hyundai A-League Champions.
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The 26-year-old has been handed the No. 9 jersey – last occupied by Kosta Barbarouses before the New Zealand international’s departure to Big Blue rivals Sydney FC – potentially hinting at new coach Marco Kurz’s plan to use the Australian forward in a central striking position.
Feature image courtesy of Melbourne Victory on Twitter
Introducing our new #9️⃣! #MVFC #OurVictory pic.twitter.com/eO46LDD16P
— Melbourne Victory (@gomvfc) July 29, 2019
Nabbout has been deployed in various roles across the front line throughout his career, but hit best-ever form playing primarily as a central forward for Newcastle Jets during the 2017/18 season.
He scored 10 goals in 22 appearances for the Novocastrians that campaign, form that earned him a J-League contract and catapulted him up the Caltex Socceroos pecking order, becoming the first-choice striker for former coach Bert van Marwijk at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
READ: Newcastle are not bemoaning Nabbout’s Victory move, says Hoffman
