Check out all the NPL and VPL off-season recruiting moves here

NPL and VPL clubs have been busy securing new talent for 2025, signing ex-A-League talents, including a Melbourne Victory legend, and a host of international imports.

Key NPL and VPL off-season recruits.

The NPL and VPL silly season is in full swing.

Clubs across the top three tiers of Victorian football have been busy bringing in new talent for 2025.

From local stars to A-League talents – including a Melbourne Victory legend – and international imports.

Check out all the confirmed moves here.

GREEN GULLY

Lawrence Caruso

The Whittlesea Ranges junior made one A-League appearance for Central Coast Mariners, debuting as a 17-year-old. He came on as a substitute for now Heidelberg keeper Yaren Sozer. Started out in Melbourne City’s academy before stints at the Mariners and Western Sydney Wanderers.

Paul Hodges

The 31-year-old Englishman travels out to Australia after doing the rounds of lower-tier football at the likes of Woking, Slough, Farnborough and Basingstoke. Gully will hope he brings his experience in front of goal, which saw him take home the Non-League Paper’s Goal of the Season last season.

HUME CITY

Rob Harker

The 24-year-old Englishman will look to combine with Welshman Lloyd Isgrove in attack at Hume. Spent time at Bury and Burnley without playing a senior game before breaking through at Halifax Town in the fifth-tier National League. At 188cm, expect him to trouble plenty of defenders.

Michael Domfeh

The reigning VPL1 Golden Boot winner trades Northcote City for Hume City and adds to what was already one of the NPL’s most potent attacks. Domfeh scored 16 goals in 26 appearances this season. Came through the Perth Glory youth system, won a NPL WA Golden Boot at Perth in 2019 before moving east this year.

Godfrey Debele

Arrives at Broadmeadows from NPL Queensland club Gold Coast Knights. The attacking midfielder had a standout season, scoring 10 goals in just 17 matches. Bringing speed and goal sense, he adds to an already dangerous attack.

Aaron Reardon

The defensive midfielder travels south from NPL Queensland club Gold Coast Knights. Played six A-League matches for Brisbane Roar, had a stop at NPL Victoria club Port Melbourne and spent time in Bangladesh Premier League club Dhaka Mohammedan. Brings critical strength and experience to the Hume midfield.

Erdeniz Yildiz

The defender returns to City having previously played for the club in 2017. Spent time in Turkiye with Goztepe and Fethiyespor before returning to Australia with the likes of Pascoe Vale, Dandenong Thunder and most recently Bentleigh Greens.

Birkan Kirdar

The former Melbourne Victory talent returns to his junior club in one of biggest off-season coups. The former Australia Under-17s representative impressed with Dandenong Thunder this season, scoring five goals in 25 appearances.

PRESTON LIONS

Matthew Bozinovski

The talented defender played five A-League matches for Melbourne Victory – as well as two for Wellington Phoenix on loan in 2022. He joins Preston for its return to the NPL in one of the biggest signings for 2025. A North Macedonia youth representative, the 195cm centre-back came through the ranks at Hume City before embarking on his A-League journey.

Stefan Nigro

A huge get for Preston, arriving fresh from 105 A-League appearances for Melbourne Victory, Brisbane Roar and Central Coast Mariners. An A-League champion and FFA Cup winner with Victory, while he also represented Australia Under-23s. From Ballarat

Noah Spaseski

The A-League academy talent arrives to bolster the Lions ahead of their return to the NPL. The attacking midfielder spent time at Melbourne Victory and Western United, playing 19 matches for United’s VPL1 team this year.

Lucas Trenkovski

The goalkeeper spent a couple of years in Western United’s academy, playing 25 matches in VPL1 this season. The Hume City junior returns to the NPL with Preston and will look to push incumbent Bon Scott for the start between the sticks.

Lleyton Brooks

The Queenslander came through the ranks at Brisbane Roar before moving south to join Melbourne Victory, playing 31 A-League matches. Spent 2024 abroad, playing for Canadian Premier League club Cavalry FC. The 23-year-old played 13 games for the Calgary-based club as it finished second in the premiership and championship. Represented Australia at under-18 level.

Gian Albano

After six season at Melbourne Knights, the gun forward crosses to now NPL rival Preston as the Lions step up to the top flight in 2025. Scored eight goals in 26 appearances for the Knights this season and was a key contributor to the club’s Australia Cup semi-final run in 2023.

VPL1

BENTLEIGH GREENS

Leigh Broxham

The Melbourne Victory legend and A-League games record holder will surely be one of the biggest recruits of the off-season. Moves to Bentleigh after spending the second half of this season with NPL club St Albans, helping turn the Saints’ campaign around and avoid relegation. The 36-year-old won four A-League championships, three premierships and two FFA Cups at Victory, playing 386 games. After retiring, he played six games for St Albans.

EASTERN LIONS

Farai Mutatu

The 25-year-old Zimbabwean has been on quite the journey. He moved to the US as a youngster, going on to play for Michigan State University, earning first team All-Big Ten honours, before being drafted in the first round by powerhouse LA Galaxy in 2022. He has since played in South Africa’s Premier Division with Cape Town Spurs and now brings his pace and strength to the VPL1 competition.

MANNINGHAM UNITED

Mabior Garang

The towering 198cm striker arrives from Football NSW League 1 club Bankstown City. The Macarthur academy graduate scored 12 goals in 20 appearances last season. His height and pace is sure to trouble defenders this season.

Jonathan Pithoulas

The young goalkeeper arrives from VPL2 club Goulburn Valley Suns. The 188cm gloveman played seven games for the Suns this season, having previously been a part of Caroline Springs George Cross’ promotion-winning squad and spent time at East Altona.

Filip Trajcevski

The 26-year-old goalkeeper will be looking to take the No.1 jersey this season, stepping up from State League 2 North-West club Lalor Sloga. Has previously captained Macedonian First Division club Pelister, played Youth Champions League and represented North Macedonia at under-17, 18, 19 and 21 level.

Yazid Said

Once led Melbourne Victory’s Youth National League attack, scoring the most goals for the club in 2019 before joining NPL heavyweight Avondale in 2021 and then Pascoe Vale in 2023.

VPL2

ALTONA CITY

Ben Bowler

The Welshman teams back up with Jordan Lam after the pair played together in Wales. Spent six years at Hume City, winning a Dockerty Cup, before moving to Bentleigh Greens this season. Played 19 VPL1 games and scored two goals for the Greens this season.