Mitch Langerak’s return to Melbourne Victory inches closer following Paul Izzo’s departure for Denmark

With one star goalkeeper having departed Melbourne Victory, another standout gloveman has moved closer to returning to the A-League club.

Former Socceroos goalkeeper Mitch Langerak’s expected return to Melbourne Victory is a step closer following Paul Izzo’s departure from the club.

Izzo, who enjoyed a stellar 2023-24 A-League campaign, is returning to Europe after being sold by the Victory for an undisclosed fee to Danish club Randers.

“The past two seasons in Melbourne have been incredible and I want to thank everyone involved at the club but more importantly, the members and fans for their support,” said 29-year-old Izzo, who joined the Victory in 2022 from Greek outfit Xanthi.

“For me, I’m looking forward to being able to take the next step in my career and test myself abroad again.

“It’s an exciting opportunity for me and a challenge I’m ready to take on in my journey.”

Paul Izzo has left Melbourne Victory to join Danish club Randers. Picture: Scott Gardiner/Getty Images

Izzo’s departure paves the way for the return of Langerak, who left the Victory in 2010 for an overseas stint that has included spells in Germany (Borussia Dortmund and Stuttgart), Spain (Levante), and Japan, where he has played for Nagoya Grampus since 2018.

Langerak, 35, is expected to leave Nagoya when the J1 League season ends in December and rejoin the Victory in the January transfer window.

With the 2024-25 A-League season set to start in October, the Victory has also signed experienced gloveman Jack Duncan from Wellington, with the former Newcastle Jets custodian likely to be the Melbourne club’s first-choice keeper until Langerak’s arrival.

Meanwhile, former Victory star Marco Rojas, who returned to the A-League last season with Brisbane Roar, has rejoined Wellington Phoenix.

The 32-year-old New Zealand international attacker started his A-League career with the Phoenix in 2009 before leaving in 2011 to embark on a journey that has included stints with the Victory and Roar as well as clubs in Germany (Stuttgart and Greuther Furth), Switzerland (Thun), Netherlands (Heerenveen), Denmark (Sonderjyske) and Chile (Colo Colo).

“There have been a few seasons in the A-League where I’ve been able to do really well and that shows what I might be able to do on the pitch,“ Rojas said.

“I’ve got the experience of playing in Chile and Europe, so should the young boys want some advice, they can learn from me and add a little bit extra to their games which can hopefully take them one step further than last season.”

Originally published as Mitch Langerak’s return to Melbourne Victory inches closer following Paul Izzo’s departure for Denmark