Robbie Kruse to again don the orange of Brisbane Roar after more than 13 years away

A former Brisbane Roar prodigy has returned to the club where his A-League career began many years ago.

Former Socceroos star Robbie Kruse has returned to the Brisbane Roar. Picture: Toby Zerna

Former Socceroos star Robbie Kruse has vowed to make an “impact” in his return to the Brisbane Roar.

More than 13 years after leaving the Roar, Kruse will again don the orange after signing a deal which will keep him at the club until the end of the season.

News Corp Australia revealed in August last year that Roar coach Warren Moon was interested in bringing Kruse back to the club as he continued his recovery from a serious knee injury which led to him departing Melbourne Victory at the end of last season.

The 2015 Asian Cup winner and proud Queenslander spent several weeks training with the Roar but negotiations broke down early last month due to insurance matters and disagreements about the length of a potential contract.

However, as reported last week by News Corp Australia, Kruse and the Roar reopened talks, with the club confirming on Thursday a deal had been secured.

“Warren was really persistent in getting me to come down and I think my experience can really rub off on the younger guys, so I’m really looking forward to it and to helping the team as much as I can,” said the 34-year-old former Fortuna Dusseldorf, Bayer Leverkusen. Stuttgart and Bochum attacker said.

Throwback Thursday... 👀 pic.twitter.com/C3vC4rIr68

— Brisbane Roar FC (@brisbaneroar) February 2, 2023

A veteran of 75 Socceroos appearances, Kruse promised he wasn’t returning to the Roar to make up the numbers.

“Coming off the knee injury I had last season, I had to do all the right things to give myself the best chance because I didn’t want to come back if I couldn’t contribute anything to the club,” he said.

“If I can help them in any way, then it’s going to be a positive. Hopefully I can make an impact off the bench in the time that I play, and obviously the goal is to play finals football, so hopefully we can do that.”

Kruse won’t travel to South Australia for the Roar’s match against Adelaide United on Saturday night but is set to be available for Brisbane’s home battle with the Central Coast Mariners next Friday.

The Roar is desperate to bounce back after being thrashed 4-0 by the Newcastle Jets last week.

“Up until the last game, the team has been really strong defensively. They’ve played some good football in patches but obviously haven’t been able to capitalise on the opportunities they’ve had,” Kruse said.

“The table is so jam-packed that if you win two games, you really catapult up the ladder, so obviously that last game was disappointing, but you can get a couple of those throughout a season.”

Moon said Kruse was “genuine” in his desire to play for the club.

“It’s great to have one of Queensland’s favourite sons return to where it all began for him,” Moon said.

“Robbie comes in and adds much needed experience in the final third, which is where we’re lacking.

“When he’s fully fit, this guy has the ability to really make things happen, which will help us.”

Originally published as Robbie Kruse to again don the orange of Brisbane Roar after more than 13 years away