Melbourne Victory had a productive January transfer window, securing the signatures of five players, and farewelling three – including Matthew Spiranovic’s retirement from professional football.
IN: Bruno Fornaroli – #10
Signs for Victory permanently
Fornaroli initially signed for Victory in October as an injury replacement, but put pen to paper on a permanent deal at the opening of the January window.
IN: Bruce Kamau – #18
Joins Victory on loan from Greek top flight side OFI Crete
Bruce Kamau joins the Club with 135 A-League Men’s appearances under his belt. After leaving the A-League in 2021, the forward has since been plying his trade in Greece with OFI Crete. Kamau is a 2015/16 A-League Champion and a goalscorer at under 23 international level for Australia.
IN: Damien Da Silva – #5
Joins Victory from French Ligue 1 side Olympique Lyonnais
The French central defender joins the Victory from Ligue 1 giants Lyon. Da Silva is a 2019 Coupe de France winner with Rennes, has represented his country at youth international level and is a graduate of the Bordeaux academy.
IN: Connor Chapman – #14
Joins Victory until the end of the 2023/24 season
Chapman joins the Victory until the end of the 2023/24 Isuzu UTE A-League season. The defender has had successful stints in South Korea with Pohang Steelers and FC Seoul, and has represented Australia at under 17, under 20 and under 23 level.
IN: Fernando Romero – #19
Joins Victory on loan from Paraguayan Primera División club Cerro Porteño
Romero signs for the Victory from Paraguayan Primera Division side Cerro Porteno. The 22-year-old spent his early career at Paraguay’s Nacional and Guairena FC before joining the team from the capital, winning the 2021 Clausura and competing in the Copa Libertadores the following season.
OUT: Matthew Spiranovic, Jay Barnett and Noah Smith.
Matthew Spiranovic announced his retirement from professional football. The central defender achieved a long list of success throughout his 17-year professional career, winning the Asian Cup, Asian Champions League, A-League Premiership, German Cup and Australian Cup. Spiranovic also represented his country 36 times, including the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
The Club also announced the departures of Jay Barnett and Noah Smith. Barnett represented the Victory following 38 A-League appearances across 4 seasons.
Noah Smith departs the club after making seven appearances for the Victory in season 2022/23.
