A-League: Former EPL striker Rudy Gestede joins Melbourne Victory

Melbourne Victory’s bid to return to the A-League summit will be helped by the signing of ex-Aston Villa attacker Rudy Gestede.

New Melbourne Victory striker Rudy Gestede during his time with Blackburn. Picture: Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Melbourne Victory will have a new striker waiting for them on their return to Australia from AFC Champions League duties in Qatar – former English Premier League marksman Rudy Gestede.

Less than 24 hours after their 3-1 Champions League loss to Beijing Guoan, the Victory on Wednesday confirmed the signing of the 32-year-old Gestede, whose previous clubs include Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers and Middlesbrough.

The France-born Benin international will be crucial to the Grant Brebner-coached Victory’s hopes of restoring their status as A-League heavyweights after a dismal 10th-placed finish last season.

“After speaking with the club, in particular Grant Brebner, I was very impressed with the vision they outlined around the brand of football they want to play and the role they want me to play,” Gestede said.

“The club has been very successful in the past, they have great facilities and I can’t wait to meet up with my new teammates and start putting in the hard work.”

🔒 RUDY IS OURS 🔒 @RudyGestede will be leading the line in 2020/21 😍 #MVFC #Since05 pic.twitter.com/Ikt1XGmjJg

— Melbourne Victory (@gomvfc) November 25, 2020

Brebner said Gestede “ticked all the boxes” on and off the field.

“When we commenced the process to recruit players to our club, we had a particular type of player we wanted,” the Victory coach said.

“They had to fit the brand of football we want to play, but they also had to fit into the culture we are building.

“Rudy has played and performed in the toughest club competition in the world so he will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to our squad.”

Gestede will soon depart Europe for Australia with his young family. On their arrival they will spend two weeks in hotel quarantine.

His new Victory teammates will in the meantime continue their Chamions League campaign in Qatar on Friday night, again against Beijing.

The Victory can ill-afford another defeat if they want to progress to the knockout stages of the competition.

Meanwhile, Adelaide United have signed experienced Spanish defender Javi López for the upcoming A-League season.

“I’m very happy to be moving to Adelaide with my family,” the 34-year-old former Espanyol player said.

“It’s a new adventure for me and my family and I’m looking forward to meeting my new teammates and the challenge of playing in Australia.

“I have heard many great things about the city and the culture of the A-League ... and I cannot wait to begin this journey.”

Adelaide United director of football, Bruce Djite said: “Javi’s career speaks for itself, having spent more than a decade in Spain’s top-flight.

“We have been acutely aware of the need to bring in a few more experienced players and it has always been our intention to bring in more experienced players to complement our younger players.”

Originally published as A-League: Former EPL striker Rudy Gestede joins Melbourne Victory