Melbourne Victory today announced that inaugural squad member Danny Allsopp would return to the club in next month’s transfer window on a 27-month deal, after spending the past 15 months overseas in the Middle East and America. This will see him available for the remainder of the Hyundai A-League 2010/11 season, plus an additional 2 years.
Melbourne Victory today announced that inaugural squad member Danny Allsopp would return to the club in next month-s transfer window on a 27-month deal, after spending the past 15 months overseas in the Middle East and America. This will see him available for the remainder of the Hyundai A-League 2010/11 season, plus an additional 2 years.
In making the announcement, Football Operations Manager, Gary Cole welcomed the dual Victory Medallist back to the club, where he has scored an impressive 36 goals in 89 Hyundai A-League appearances.
“Danny is a fantastic acquisition for the club and we-re very excited to have him back.” Cole said.
“We-ve maintained contact with him since he left last season and when things didn-t quite go to plan in the US, we began the process of bringing him home to Melbourne Victory.”
“Everyone knows what Danny is capable of. He and Archie Thompson formed one of the great partnerships over the first four seasons of the A-League and we-re looking forward to them re-uniting. Throw Danny into the mix alongside Archie, Carlos Hernandez, Ricardinho and Robbie Kruse and you-ve got a fairly potent attack.” Cole added.
Melbourne Victory Chairman, Geoff Lord expressed his delight at the news also. “Danny Allsopp was one of the great servants of this club, so to get him back is fantastic. It-s also a great endorsement for Melbourne Victory, that a player of Danny-s quality was so eager to return.”
Allsopp, who brings with him a wealth of experience, was thrilled to return – although not quite to the club he remembers. “Melbourne Victory has gone through so many exciting changes in such a short space of time. When I left the new stadium was just a shell and we were playing all our home games at Etihad Stadium, so I can-t wait to experience AAMI Park first hand, now that we-ve actually moved in.”
“It-s a world-class facility and all the boys have been raving about it, so I-m really looking forward to getting out on the pitch and hopefully scoring some goals. To think that just 5 years ago we were playing across the road at Olympic Park is remarkable.”
“When things didn-t quite work out overseas, there was only once place I wanted to be – and that was here at Melbourne Victory. 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 added.
Melbourne Victory Coach, Ernie Merrick was understandably pleased to have got his man. “We-ve been keeping tabs on Danny since he left and when he decided to come home we didn-t have to think twice about signing him.”
“His amazing work-rate made him a fan favourite in those first four seasons and I think we-re in for an exciting period ahead. 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.”
“With Archie out for the next month, this signing couldn-t have come at a better time. Danny already knows how we like to play, so we-re confident he-ll hit the ground running.”
Danny Allsopp will wear the clubs vacant number 18 shirt for the remainder of the Hyundai A-League season.
