Melbourne Victory can confirm the departure of Academy graduate Nishan Velupillay for an undisclosed fee.
The 25-year-old Socceroo has completed a transfer to FC Ingolstadt 04 following seven years representing his boyhood club, recording 141 appearances and scoring 25 goals.
A distinguished performer, Velupillay earned his stripes competing for Victory in NPL Victoria, before debuting at A-League level during a Big Blue clash against Sydney FC in May 2021.
Velupillay would end the following season, where he made 30 senior outings, with both team and individual honours added to his CV, lifting the Australia Cup and winning Young Player of the Year at the Victory Medal.
He has since been part of squads that reached consecutive A-League Grand Finals in 2024 and 2025, and in his final full season for the Boys in Blue, he assumed a leadership role, captaining the side in an Original Rivalry fixture versus Adelaide United.
Notably, Velupillay’s time at Victory saw him rise to international prominence, and just a year after representing Australia U23s, he made a goal-scoring debut for the Socceroos against China. This year, he was part of the senior national team that competed at the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, featuring twice as they reached the knock-out stages.
Melbourne Victory Director of Football, John Didulica, commented:
“We are so proud of the journey that Nish has been on with Melbourne Victory – from being part of our junior set-up to playing NPL3 to starting for the Socceroos at a FIFA World Cup.
“Everyone at the Club is obviously very close to Nish, and it is clear that he has earned the right, through his contribution to Victory over many years and his emergence with the Socceroos, to experience European football and live that dream.
“I remember Nish scoring the winner at Hindmarsh in 2021, which was his first ever goal for the Club and the way his face lit up, and he instinctively ran to the away bay with the Victory fans. We knew that night we had a player, but we also knew that we had someone who cared deeply about Victory.”
Velupillay said:
“I want to thank everyone connected with Melbourne Victory for making me the person that I am today. The coaches and staff have helped me develop and excel; my teammates have inspired and pushed me; and the members and fans have given me more support than I could ever have imagined.
“Playing for the Club, who I have always supported, in the city I call home, has been a huge honour, and I will be following Victory wherever I go.”
