Melbourne Victory is pleased to announce the signing of goalkeeper Mitch Langerak.
The 35-year-old joins the Club on an 18-month deal, signing on until the end of the 2025/26 Isuzu UTE A-League season from Japanese side Nagoya Grampus, where he will finish his J-League commitments at the end of 2024.
Langerak began his professional career at Victory, seeing his break-out come during the 2009/10 A-League and Asian Champions League campaigns. The goalkeeper was sold to German giants Borussia Dortmund for a record transfer fee before featuring in the Bundesliga and Champions League.
After his time in Europe, Langerak made the move to the J-League with Nagoya Grampus where he has played over 200 matches, breaking his own clean sheet record twice while in the Japanese domestic competition.
Melbourne Victory Head Coach Patrick Kisnorbo said Langerak will add to the experience and depth in the Club’s goalkeeping ranks.
“We’re excited to be able to welcome Mitch back after farewelling the Club in 2010 to begin his career abroad,” Kisnorbo said.
“Mitch’s pedigree speaks for itself. He’s played at the highest level in Europe and has been an incredibly consistent performer in Japan.
“His character and attitude to football is an example for all footballers to follow and we look forward to his arrival in January.”
Langerak was also looking forward to his return to Melbourne Victory.
“I’m thrilled to be returning to where it all began with Melbourne Victory,” Langerak said.
“Now is the right time to come home for my family and for myself and there is no other Club I’d be returning to, other than Victory.
“My last season at Victory in 2010 saw us go agonisingly close to the Championship and the past season for the team was no different. The goal for me is to help the team achieve the ultimate success and lift that trophy at the end of the season.”
Langerak joins Josh Rawlins, Jing Reec, Reno Piscopo, Jack Duncan and Brendan Hamill as the Club’s latest additions for the 2024/25 A-League Men’s season as the side begins its preparations for the Australia Cup Round of 32 clash with Lambton Jaffas on Tuesday 6 August.
