Forgotten former Socceroo Terry Antonis has been thrown an A-League lifeline by Melbourne City.
Antonis, 29, hasn’t performed a top-flight match since May 2022 after falling out of favour with Western Sydney Wanderers coach Marko Rudan.
Despite being a part of the Wanderers squad in the course of the 2022-23 season, Antonis was not used in any respect by Rudan and was reportedly prevented from coaching along with his Western Sydney teammates.
It led to the previous Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory championship-winning midfielder having his Wanderers contract mutually terminated in May regardless of a yr remaining on the deal.
Antonis is grateful to have been given the chance to revive his profession with the A-League heavyweights and reunite with coach Rado Vidosic, whom he labored with at Sydney FC.
“Melbourne City has been the most successful club in Australia in recent years, so obviously things are going right,” Antonis mentioned.
“When my agent came to me with the move, I saw it as a really exciting opportunity and I’m looking forward to working with Rado again.
“I’m hoping I can add some experience to the squad and I’m really excited to play for this great club alongside some great players.”
Vidosic backed Antonis, who has additionally had stints with Greek golf equipment PAOK and Veria, Dutch outfit VVV-Venlo and South Korean facet Suwon Samsung Bluewings, to rediscover the shape that led to his inclusion within the Socceroos’ 2015 Asian Cup-winning squad.
“He was a bit unfortunate with what happened to him at the Wanderers … but we are getting a player who is very keen to prove himself again and a player who is desperate to get himself back to where he was,” City’s coach mentioned.
“He’s always been very talented. There’s no doubt he’s got what it takes. He’s so versatile in the midfield. He can use both feet, he can score a goal and he also great defensive characteristics.
“Now we just need to slowly bring him back to match fitness. We need to make sure we take one step at a time with him.”
Antonis joins German import Tolgay Arslan and Steven Ugarkovic as latest midfield signings for a City facet that’s rebuilding after greater than half of the primary crew departed after the membership’s embarrassing 6-1 grand closing loss to Central Coast.
City, who will play within the 2023-24 AFC Champions League after profitable final season’s premiership, has additionally signed former Western United and Brisbane Roar goalkeeper Jamie Young.
Originally revealed as Terry Antonis given probability by Melbourne City to revive profession
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au