Melbourne Victory is pleased to announce the signing of Academy product Joshua Inserra to a scholarship contract until the end of the 2025/26 Isuzu UTE A-League season.
Insera (18) is a young defender who has represented his country at Young Socceroos level, returning from Portugal with fellow scholarship player, Franco Lino in the side’s most recent friendly tournament in Europe.
The centre back had a taste of senior football last season, appearing on the bench for the side’s match against Macarthur late last season as well as featuring for the NPL side throughout 2023.
Inserra has been in Victory’s Academy system for the past two seasons, joining in 2021. He has played an important role in the Under 18, 20 and NPL Senior sides before joining the A-League Men’s squad as a scholarship player.
Melbourne Victory Director of Football, John Didulica said he was excited to see yet another academy product get an opportunity to prove themselves at A-League level.
“We’re thrilled to be able to reward Joshua’s progress over the past two seasons by promoting him from our Academy side to our A-League Men’s squad for the upcoming season,” Didulica said.
“Joshua has had experience working with the senior team and we are excited by the way he adapted to the environment. It’s exciting to have the confidence to be able to promote another young defender to our senior ranks and believe he has the capacity to be a huge success.
Inserra was also pleased to sign his first professional contract with Melbourne Victory.
“I am humbled and honoured by the opportunity given to me by the Club and can’t wait for the work to begin,” Inserra said.
“The chance to work with the coaches and players on a daily basis here at Victory will provide me with the motivation to support the team, work hard and take every opportunity that comes my way.”
Inserra joins Lino as the latest players to join the first team from Victory’s Academy ahead of the 2023/24 season. The group will join the A-League Men’s side as they return to training in July ahead of the Australia Cup playoff on Monday 17 July against Newcastle Jets in Darwin.
