Check out all the new off-season arrivals at every NPL Victoria and VPL club

The new NPL Victoria and VPL seasons aren’t far away and clubs have been busy strengthening their lists for 2026. Check out all the confirmed signings at every club.

All the latest NPL and VPL recruits.

It feels like the grand final was only yesterday but the new NPL and VPL seasons are only a couple of months away.

Clubs across the top three tiers of Victorian football have been busy, busy, busy strengthening their lists for 2026.

From international imports to premiership and championship winners and Golden Boot winners, there’s no shortage of talent finding new homes.

Check out all the confirmed off-season signings from across the NPL and VPL.

BENTLEIGH GREENS

Manyumow Achol (DFK Dainava, Lithuania)

The New Zealand native and South Sudan international arrives in Australia after a season in the Lithuanian top-flight. The midfielder also has experience in Latvia, Bulgaria and the UAE as well as New Zealand. Looms as a big inclusion for Bentleigh’s return to NPL Victoria.

Dennis Menelaou (Bulleen Lions)

Stepping up to NPL with the Greens after a stellar 2025 season with Bulleen. Menelaou was one of the leading goalscorers in VPL1 this year, bagging 11 goals in 26 appearances - tied for seventh in the competition. Four of those game in one magical performance against North Sunshine Eagles and he racked up seven goals in the opening four matches.

Anthony Frangie (Altona Magic)

One of the top recruits in NPL after an impressive debut campaign with Altona Magic. However, he’s now crossing town to join the Greens and will look to replicate his 2025 form at Kingston Heath. Frangie scored eight goals in his 21 matches in 2025 and was a regular in the NPL Victoria Team of the Week. Another strong addition to the Greens squad.

Shaun Ruzvidzo (St Albans)

A third club in two years for the Englishman, who came through the ranks at Peterborough United. Started 2025 at VPL1 club Eastern Lions, playing 16 games and scoring three goals before jumping up to NPL at St Albans mid-season. Finished the season with seven games and two goals for Dinamo. Brings plenty of experience and creativity to the Greens’ attack.

Michael Boffey (Preston Lions)

Only played the two senior games for Preston in 2025, spending the majority of the season in the under-23s. Makes the move to Bentleigh looking to re-establish himself as a senior footballer. The centre-back played professionally in the UAE and has previous NPL experience at Dandenong Thunder.

Kalilou Kamara (Avondale)

A massive get for the Greens as they return to NPL football in 2026, adding the two-time premiership-winning centre-back. Kamara was a key piece of the powerful Avengers squad in the past four years. Played 23 games and got forward to bag a pair of goals in 2025.

Marc Latsis (Malvern City)

Returns to NPL football with the Greens. Started 2025 in the top-flight with Port Melbourne but made a late move to Malvern City, helping the club win a State League 1 premiership and promotion to VPL2. Latsis also scored in Malvern’s dominant 4-0 win over Keilor Park in the State League championship. A strong addition to Bentleigh’s midfield.

Ahmad Taleb (Northcote City)

Taleb was the No.1 at Hercules this season but will look to step up to the top-flight and compete for the starting spot against Brendan White. The goalkeeper played 24 of 26 games in 2025 and Northcote conceded 44 goals in total - ranked eighth.

ESSENDON ROYALS

Zac Kocankovski (Geelong)

A talented prospect having come through the Melbourne City Academy and captained Western United in the NPL. Spent 2025 with Geelong in the VPL2 but jumps ship after the club’s relegation to join the Royals. Played 23 matches for Geelong, scoring once - in the Round 1 derby against North Geelong.

Anthony Trajkoski (Geelong)

The attacking midfielder also comes up the highway from Geelong having played 24 games in 2025 and scoring one goal. Has spent time at Brunswick Juventus and Caroline Springs George Cross in Australia, while has international experience having played in the Netherlands with FC Emmen’s under-19s, in Armenia at Ararat Yerevan and in Serbia with FK Smederevo.

FC MELBOURNE

Joe Coveney (Whittlesea Ranges)

Was limited to just 10 games in 2025 but had scored eight goals in 21 games in 2024. State League 2 is a long way from his junior days at Manchester City but he steps up several levels now to join Srbija as the club looks to push for promotion to the top-flight. His experience on and off the pitch will be invaluable.

Matthew Ford

Tried his luck in England and trailed at the likes of Arsenal, Stoke City and Derby County before receiving an offer from Cheltenham Town. He signed at Potters Bar Town in 2023. His development saw him selected to represent Lebanon at underage levels. The centre-back will bolster Srbija’s defensive stocks nicely.

Delarno Pharoe (Port Melbourne Sharks)

A winger with pace to burn. Arrives at Kevin Bartlett Reserve looking to boost Srbija’s promotion hopes after playing 18 NPL games and scoring three goals for Port Melbourne this season. Featured for Preston Lions the year before that, helping the club win promotion from VPL1.

Owen Sheppard (Altona Magic)

The dangerous forward started 2025 with State League 1 club Corio before making a huge step up to NPL football with Altona Magic. Had seven goals in 11 matches for Corio before departing mid-season and scored once in seven appearances for the Magic. The Canadian brings professional experience from his native country.

Nathan Dib (Port Melbourne Sharks)

After 19 NPL games with Port Melbourne this season, Dib steps back to VPL1 but not with the Sharks, instead joining Srbija. Will be a strong addition to the club’s backline as it looks to challenge for promotion again in 2026.

Jack Hindle (Mazenod)

The Englishman steps up to VPL1 from State League 1 club Mazenod, where he enjoyed a stellar season. Named captain on arrival, he delivered 20 goals in 19 appearances to help the club finish seventh and win himself the Golden Boot. Spent 2024 with VPL1 club Werribee City, playing 15 games. Having had a professional career across England, Malaysia and Australia, will add some important attacking firepower and creativity.

Aaron Bazenski (Melbourne Victory NPL)

The young centre back will step back to VPL1 but not with the Victory academy. Bazenski played 13 NPL matches for Victory in 2025. Will bolster nicely Srbija’s back four as it looks to challenge for promotion in 2026.

HEIDELBERG

Marcus Humbert (Melbourne City NPL)

The talented young midfielder captained Melbourne City’s VPL1 promotion-winning side, clinching NPL football for the first time in Academy history, but will take the field in yellow and black. The 20-year-old played 24 games and scored three goals, including a 94th minute match-winning strike in the playoff semi-final. Made his professional debut for Melbourne City in the Australia Cup Round of 32 loss to APIA Leichhardt. Has started in all three of Heidelberg’s Australia Championship matches.

Ciaran Bramwell (Melbourne Knights)

The 23-year-old striker was a shining light in a dark year at Melbourne Knights, scoring 11 goals. He’ll remain in the top-flight with Heidelberg and add to one of the most dangerous attacks in the competition alongside the likes of Golden Boot winner Bul Juach and Max Bisetto. Brings A-League experience after time with Perth Glory.

Angus Taylor (Launceston City, NPL Tasmania)

Moves to Melbourne from the Apple Isle, where he won the league’s Gold Medal, Golden Boot and Team of the Year honours in a standout campaign for Launceston. Has already marked himself as a danger around goals for Heidelberg, scoring twice in three Australia Championship matches.

HUME CITY

Steve Whyte (Melbourne Knights)

Arrives from Knights, remaining in the top-flight. Whyte played 24 of 26 matches this season, a mainstay in the club’s midfield. He’ll be an excellent addition to the Hume engineroom. Came through the Central Coast Mariners Academy before moving overseas and joining American power Seattle Sounders. Returned to Australia with Queensland club Brisbane Olympic in 2018 before moving down to Melbourne in 2022.

John Paikopoulos (Melbourne Victory NPL)

Rose through the ranks of Melbourne Victory’s Academy before making his senior NPL debut this season, playing five games late in the year. Still only 19 and promises to be a star in the making.

Aiki Tsukamoto (Eastern Lions)

Japanese but developed through the Perth Glory Academy, making his NPL WA debut as a 16-year-old. While he didn’t break through for an A-League debut, he is still only 21 and only improving. Spent 2025 with VPL1 club Eastern Lions, playing all 26 games and scoring three goals.

Taylor Schrijvers

Spent a year out of the game after parting ways with Green Gully, where he was captain, last off-season. Steps back into the NPL with Hume and immediately bolsters the club’s backline. One of the competition’s best defenders in stints with Melbourne Knights and Gully after a decorated career back home in New Zealand.

Chris Oldfield (Melbourne Knights)

Would have approached 300 NPL Victoria games this season if not for injury. Oldfield was named Knights captain this year but lasted just eight games. In 2026, he returns to Hume City a decade after leaving the club and establishing himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the league.

MANNINGHAM UNITED

Mathew Tsalikidis (Heidelberg United)

Having sat behind the likes of Ben Collins and Ryan Lethlean, the talented young centre-back moves to Manningham looking to establish himself as a senior footballer. Played a handful of senior games in previous years but didn’t crack the senior squad in 2025. He was, however, in United’s Australia Cup squad for its historic run to the final.

Luke Barforosh (FGCU Eagles, USA)

Spent 2024 with US College team Florida Gulf Coast University. Previously played with Port Melbourne before heading state side. Versatility to key to Barforosh’s game, capable of playing through the middle or across the backline.

Gun-Oh Kim (Launceston City, NPL Tasmania)

The South Korean native made his professional debut in the Philippines before moving to Australia and joining Launceston mid-year. Now moves up to Melbourne and will look to add speed and creativity on the wings at Pettys Reserve.

Dalibor Markovic (Heidelberg United)

A huge get for the Blues, securing Markovic from Heidelberg, where he was a part of the Warriors’ NPL Victoria championship-winning and Australia Cup squads. The left-sided winger or full-back was on the team sheet 21 times in 2025 but only made a handful of appearances off the bench and fewer starts.

Rob Harding (Northcote City)

Split his time between South Melbourne and Northcote City last season, playing seven games and scoring four goals for Hercules after making a mid-season move away from Lakeside. Returns to Pettys Reserve ready to help the club rebuild after narrowly avoiding a second straight relegation.

Thierry Iradukunda (Northcote City)

Was a mainstay at Northcote City in 2025, on the team sheet 25 times. The midfielder made his A-League debut for Western United in 2020 before moving to Bentleigh Greens, Melbourne Knights, Green Gully and Northcote.

Georgi Shalamanov-Trenkov (Kingston City)

The youngster arrives after nine VPL1 appearances for Kingston City having spent 2024 with Port Melbourne in the NPL. The central midfielder came through the youth ranks in Bulgaria, where he made his professional debut, before returning to Australia and will add a dynamic presence for the Blues.

Luke Collins (Armadale, NPL WA)

The young Western Australian comes across to Melbourne to test himself. Won Young Player of the Year at Perth in 2023 before moving to rival Armadale in 2025. The centre back bolsters the Blues backline nicely heading into 2026.

Yianni Panakos (Kingston City)

One of Kingston City’s best this season, despite the club suffering relegation, playing all 26 matches and scoring five goals. The forward came through the ranks at Western United and spent time at South Melbourne.

NORTHCOTE CITY

Maceo Jones (Nunawading City)

Returns to the club having spent time there as a teenager. Has since gained experience with Melbourne Victory’s academy, Bentleigh Greens and MetroStars in South Australia. Split his 2025 season with VPL1 club Manningham and then VPL2 club and Australia Cup Round of 16 qualifier Nunawading City.

Austin Yost (South Hobart, NPL Tasmania)

Another player reuniting with coach Max Clarke, having played under him at South Hobart. The exciting winger finished the 2025 season with 10 goals and 13 assists across all competitions, including the club’s Australian Championship campaign. Will be one to watch as Hercules looks to jump back up the VPL1 ladder.

Emilio Datario (Western United NPL)

The young full-back comes out of the Western United Academy. An interrupted 2025 saw him play 11 VPL1 matches for United and five more in the under-23s. Can impact the game at either end with his athleticism a big feature of his game.

Kazuki Hashimoto (Launceston City, NPL Tasmania)

Coach Max Clarke’s knowledge of Tasmanian football secures another recruit for Northcote with the Japanese full-back arriving from Launceston. Teams up with teammate Thierry Swaby after a Team of the Year calibre campaign. Prior to arriving in Tassie, he spent several seasons in the US, playing NCAA and professionally.

Kasper Hallam (Green Gully)

A huge get for Northcote City, securing Hallam from NPL club Green Gully. Bagged five goals in 2025, third most at the club behind only Aamir Abdullah and Josh Hope. Will be hard to stop at VPL1 level with his pace, elusiveness and nose for goal.

Kieran Brown (South Hobart, NPL Tasmania)

The goalkeeper comes up from Tassie to reunite with his South Hobart coach Max Clarke. Spent 2025 with South after five years in the US College system. Endured a tough Australian Championships initiation as the Hobart club struggled but it will hold him in good stead for the VPL1 campaign with Northcote.

Harry Casci (Western United NPL)

Graduates from the Western United Academy, where he played 20 games and scored two goals. The youngster is returning to John Cain Reserve, where he came through the junior ranks, while it’s also a reunion with coach Max Clarke, who coached him at Western. The versatile midfielder has returned New Zealand at under-20 level.

Thierry Swaby (Launceston City, NPL Tasmania)

Moves north after a stellar 2025 in Launceston that saw him win the NPL Tasmania Golden Boot with 25 goals and earn Team of the Year honours. One of the competition’s most prolific strikers having also scored 18 in 2024 to finish second in the Golden Boot. The English forward came through the ranks at Bristol, making a stop at Larkhall Athletic, before making the move Down Under.

Oscar Tanic (Western United NPL)

The Geelong junior has been through the Melbourne Victory and Western United academies. Spent 2025 in the VPL1 with Western, playing 15 games and scoring one goal, while also making 15 appearances at under-23 level and scoring 12 goals. Looking to cement himself at senior level, he joins Hercules, looking to showcase his versatility and strength from set pieces.

Lachie Grundy (Western United NPL)

Came through the ranks at Western United, winning the academy’s under-18s best-and-fairest in 2023 when he scored 13 goals. The winger or full-back was a consistent presence in United’s VPL1 team in 2025, on the team sheet 23 times. Reunites with friend and former Western United teammate Max Clarke.

PORT MELBOURNE SHARKS

Cooper Legrand (Kingston City)

The Mauritius international stays in VPL1, leaving Kingston to bolster Port Melbourne as it steps back from the NPL. Started the season at Langwarrin before a mid-season move and played 21 games, scoring five goals combined. All five of those goals came in six matches for Kingston.

PRESTON LIONS

Jamal Ali (Heidelberg United)

The first signing of Preston’s Zoran Markovski era is huge. Ali was a major driver in Heidelberg’s record-breaking 2025 campaign, which saw the club win the NPL Victoria championship and finish runner-up in the premiership, Dockerty Cup and Australia Cup. Ali might be a full-back by trade but has shown himself a major danger around goals, scoring eight in the league this season.

Damien Bozinovski (Melbourne Victory NPL)

Teams up with his brother and club best-and-fairest winner, Matt, at BT Connor Reserve. The young Boz played a key role in Melbourne Victory Academy’s rise up the Victorian pyramid, winning promotion in 2023 and the VPL1 premiership in 2024 before captaining the club’s NPL campaign in 2025. Also featured in Victory’s friendly against Wrexham earlier this year. Started in Preston’s Australian Championship clash with Canberra Croatia.

Adisu Bayew (Green Gully)

Burst onto the scene at Western United, making his A-League debut in 2021 and featuring in the club’s championship-winning squad. It saw him earn Australia Under-23 representative honours. After a season at Moreland City, the winger has spent the past two years at Green Gully, playing nine matches his season.

SPRINGVALE WHITE EAGLES

Anthony Del Medico (Mazenod)

The defender returns to Springvale after a number of years away. Last played for the club in 2021. Represented Mazenod in State League 1 South-East in 2025, playing eight senior games.

Raul Correia (Sydenham Park)

The Angolan-born, Portuguese striker split his 2025 season between State League 1 clubs Brimbank Stallions and Sydenham Park, scoring a combined 11 goals in 22 matches. However, nine of those goals came in 10 matches after joining Sydenham. He bagged seven goals in 16 games for Bentleigh United in 2024. Spent the majority of his career in England, having moved there as a child.

Oliver Lazzaro (Kingston City)

Split his time between senior football and under-23s this year, making an appearance on the VPL1 teamsheet 17 times. Can play across the front or even step back into midfield. Adds some critical versatility to the White Eagles’ squad.

Gavin O’Reilly (Boroondara-Carey Eagles)

Started out the season at Eastern Lions in VPL1, playing eight games, before making a mid-season move to Boroondara-Carey in VPL2. Made five appearances for the Eagles and scored one goal - funnily enough against his new club.

Ayrton Redmore (MetroStars, NPL SA)

The English-born defender brings valuable experience and leadership as the club looks to challenge for promotion again in 2026. Redmore arrives from the strong South Australian top-flight, where MetroStars won the premiership. No stranger to Victorian football having spent time at a range of clubs, most recently Brunswick Juventus and Manningham United.

Brady Quinn

Had a season off after suiting up for Dandenong City in 2023-24, where he won a VPL1 premiership. Returns to the White Eagles after a couple of seasons away, having last played with the club in VP2 in 2022. Bolsters the club’s attack nicely.

ST ALBANS

Lloyd Isgrove (Hume City)

A significant coup for Cam Watson and the Saints, luring the Welsh star to Churchill Reserve. Isgrove has been one of the top players in the NPL since arriving in 2024, scoring 15 goals in his debut season and adding another seven in 2025. Despite finishing 11th, St Albans were actually ranked sixth in goals for and Isgrove adds another genuine goalscoring threat.

SOUTH MELBOURNE

Tom Giannakopoulos (Dandenong City)

The 21-year-old defensive midfielder was a key member of City’s march to the NPL Victoria grand final, playing 27 matches. Will strengthen South’s midfield immensely as it looks to bounce back from missing NPL finals. Has started in all three Australian Championship matches for South, which has won all three.

Manny Aguek (Avondale)

One of the shock moves of the off-season, moving from NPL arch-rival and fellow Australia Championship club Avondale. Produced an outstanding 2025 season for the Avengers, scoring 13 goals in 27 appearances, third most in the competition, and earning Team of the Year honours. Added another six in the Australia Cup national stages, including a hat-trick in the quarter-final win over Brisbane City, winning the competition’s Golden Boot. Has already made a mark at Hellas, scoring one of the goals of the tournament in the Championship – scoring a stunning goal from near half-way against Moreton City Excelsior.

Sebastian Pasquali (Western United, A-League)

Came through the ranks at Melbourne Victory, earning an A-League debut in 2016, before jetting off and spending four years at Dutch giants Ajax. Returned to Australia in 2019 and joined Western United but found it difficult to break into the senior side. The Australia Under-20 and Under-23 midfielder has started in all three Australia Championship matches for Hellas, which has won all three.

Yuki Uchida (Dandenong Thunder)

The Japanese attacker produced an outstanding season for Thunder, helping the club finish third in the NPL Victoria premiership. Finished the season with 11 goals in 26 matches – sixth most in the competition – and added three assists and was rewarded with the Bill Fleming Medal as the NPL Victoria Media Player of the Year. Has made a strong start to life at Lakeside, scoring the match-winner in South’s 1-0 Australian Championships win over Broadmeadow Magic.