NPL signings: Golden boot winner Valentini signs with new club
NPL Victoria player and coaching movements are in full swing. One club has swooped on interstate and rival talent adding more than a handful of players to its list.
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NPL coaching and player movements have taken full flight this off-season as clubs begin to shape up their squads for season 2023.
Bentleigh Green have signed six new players and a new coach, including talent from Western Australia.
Melbourne Knights, St Albans and Altona Magic have also new coaches as they look to climb up the ladder in 2023.
Here’s all the biggest NPL signings ahead of 2023.
Stefan Valentini, Oakleigh
The reigning NPL 2022 champion have completed one of the biggest signings this off-season with the recruitment of Stefan Valentini from Avondale.
The speedy and skillful 26-year-old will join the Cannons in season 2023 after two seasons with Avondale.
Valentini scored four goals from 14 matches last season.
In 2021, he won the NPL Victoria golden boot with 14 goals from 15 matches in the shortened season to play a big part in his side’s first place finish.
The Perth born forward spent two seasons in Germany from 2016 to 2018 playing with Eintracht Braunschweig II and TuS Erndtebrück.
Valentini made his professional senior debut for Perth Glory in the 2015 FFA Cup against Newcastle Jets where he came on off the bench and won his side a penalty to put them up 2-1.
Ben Cahn, Melbourne Knights
Melbourne Knights have appointed accomplished coach Ben Cahn ahead of season 2023.
The 34-year-old has coached at Olympic FC in the NPL Queensland competition the last five seasons where he has taken the club to five straight grand finals after missing the finals in two seasons before he arrived.
Prior to this, Cahn was an assistant coach at A-League club Central Coast Mariners in the A-League and also a head coach of the youth team.
Cahn was awarded NPL Queensland Coach of the Year in 2020 and led the Queensland state team for games against New South Wales and Brisbane Roar.
Cahn, who will lead the Knights in their 70th Anniversary season said he excited to get started.
“I’m privileged to have been given the opportunity to work at a club with such a rich history and I’m very excited by the challenge of trying to take them forward to create the next chapter,” Cahn said to Melbourne Knights media.
“I’ve been really impressed with the Club in terms of their vision, ambition and desire to move forwards. I look forward to getting started and giving everything to take Melbourne Knights back to the top.”
In 2019 Cahn became the youngest coach in Australia to hold the AFC Pro Licence in Korea accreditation
He grew up in London playing for the Fulham Academy and is set to be a handy inclusion as the Knights look to progress up the ladder after finishing ninth last campaign.
Majak Mawith, Dandenong Thunder
Dandenong Thunder have signed a South Sudanese national goalkeeper Majak Mawith for season 2023.
Mawith has also had stints at Port Melbourne Sharks and Melbourne City.
Mario Barcia, Bentleigh Greens
Bentleigh Greens have signed midfielder Mario Barcia who is set to bring technical class and leadership to the club for the next two seasons.
Barcia has had a decorated career spanning seasons in Argentina, Bolivia, New Zealand, Indonesia and now Australia.
He was most recently with NPL premiership winning side Oakleigh Cannons where he finished the season last campaign.
Before that, the three-time champion of New Zealand was at Avondale who he joined in 2021.
Barcia said he couldn’t be happier to be joining the Greens.
“When I learned of Bentleigh’s interest, I was very excited,” Barcia said to Bentleigh Greens media.
“I hear a lot of good things about them as a family club, but I have also always liked the style of football they try and play.
“Whenever I played against them, whether it was for Avondale or Oakleigh, it was always a very tough game, but they always tried to play the right way, to keep the ball and respect the possession.
“That was honestly one of the main things I wanted from my next club, and it was an important factor in my decision.”
Fittingly, Barcia will join the club alongside Scott Hilliar and Bon Scott who he played with at Avondale.
Scott Hilliar, Bentleigh Greens
Bentleigh first signing of the season was Hilliar who is a former Team Wellington and Avondale defender.
He is set to good experience to the Greens backline in season 2023.
“From my side, I was always going to be quite particular with the clubs I was looking to move onto,” Hilliar said to Bentleigh Greens media.
“I’m more of a ball-playing centre-back, so when the opportunity with Bentleigh came up, I took it with open arms.
“I’m very much suited to the sort of football Bentleigh has become known for playing, so I’m very excited to be joining the Greens because they have always been a side that does work the ball.”
Bon Scott, Bentleigh Greens
The Greens have signed a new goalkicker in former Brisbane Roar Bon Scott.
He has played NPL soccer with Brisbane Strikers and Avondale FC more recently.
Scott said he was looking forward to having success with the club including in the Australia Cup competition.
Manase Abandelwa, Bentleigh Greens
Another exciting Western Australian has been signed by the Bentleigh Greens in Manase Abandelwa.
The club describes him as a “lively, pacy talent with an eye for goal” who will follow in the footsteps of the likes of Ajak Riak, Yagoub Mustafa and Jack Painter-Andrews in arriving at the Greens after promising performances in NPL WA.
Abandelwa who comes from Inglewood United in Western Australia said he was excited to join the Victorian competition.
“I like new challenges, and I know the Greens have a fantastic track record in the competition and are very ambitious to continue to be successful, just like myself,” Abandelwa said to Bentleigh Greens media.
“I’ve seen what the likes of Ajak, Yagoub and Jack have done.
“I’ve played with and against them and seeing how they’ve adapted into Victoria gives me a lot of confidence because I know the ability I have and – touch wood – I think I can adapt to the league.
“Most people I know have told me that it’s a faster league and it can be more physical than it is in WA, but I think that suits me.”
Thiak Kuel, Bentleigh Greens
Bentleigh have signed Western Australian talent Thiak Kuel from Inglewood United for season 2023.
The central midfielder said he was excited to test himself in NPL Victoria competition.
“I’m very competitive and I really wanted to find something a bit more challenging next season,” Kuel said to Bentleigh Greens media.
“I’ve heard from a lot of people that the Victorian NPL is a much higher standard and a lot more professional than what we have here in WA, so I wanted to push myself and find somewhere to play where I have to rise to a higher standard.”
Keul said he is also able to play in defence.
Aydin Mustedanagic, Bentleigh Greens
Bentleigh have signed Aydin Mustedanagic after an impressive two years at Pascoe Vale in NPL2.
The former Melbourne Victory Academy player said he was excited to test himself at the next level.
“It was good to get a full season under the belt last year after all the disruptions of Covid, and I wanted to try and move up a level and test myself,” Mustedanagic said to Bentleigh Greens media.
“And when the opportunity at Bentleigh came up, I just saw that challenge and opportunity and couldn’t say no. I’m excited about the opportunity to be a part of the club’s future.”
Alfredo Costantino, Bentleigh Greens
Bentleigh have appointed UEFA A-Licensed coach Alfredo Costantino as its first full-time coach.
Costantino had a 13-year professional playing career in Italy and turned to coaching in 2002 as an assistant coach with then Serie C outfit Taranto Calcio.
He moved into youth development roles with the likes of Italian Football Federation and AS Roma thereafter and joined Bulleen Lions in 2009 in his first senior coaching role.
Costantino was looking forward to taking up the opportunity of being a full-time coach at the Greens.
“I believe the club has been brave in this vision, and I think it’s a good thing for the future to want to employ a full-time coach,” Costantino said to Bentleigh Greens media.
“Working with the rest of the football department, being full-time gives more time for the details and the difficult job of helping players to be their best.
“For players to improve, you need to have the time to speak to them and work with them on the specific parts of their game, whether they are a defender, a midfielder or an attacker.
“We want to help our players be the best they can be.”
Ryan McGuffie, St Albans
Following the departure of successful coach Kruni Razov who was “an integral part” to the club’s success over his seven-year tenure, St Albans have appointed Ryan McGuffie as its new senior coach.
McGuffie comes into the role after four years of being an assistant under accomplished Oakleigh Cannons coach Chris Taylor.
The Cannons, who are the reigning premiers said McGuffie “played an important role supporting our coach and players that ultimately produced championship success.”
McGuffie will return to St Albans where he captained the club and had a brief spell as interim coach.
The experienced Scotsman has played professionally in Scotland and England at the highest level and is set to be a handy addition to the club.
Danielle Wise, South Melbourne
South Melbourne have secured the big signing of 2022 NPL Victoria Women’s Golden Boot winner Danielle Wise from Heidelberg United. Wise scored 16 goals last season to win the award and kicked 11 goals the year before.
South Melbourne Women’s Football Director Theo Chronis was excited to welcome Wise to South Melbourne.
“She has a proven track record of scoring goals and experiencing success in NPL Women’s football in three states,” Chronis said.
“I look forward to seeing her continue that success at South in 2023.”
Senior Women’s coach George Georgiadis said Wise’s skill in front of goal and leadership would come in handy.
“We are very excited to add a player with Dani’s qualities to our squad,” Georgiadis said
“An outstanding goal scorer complemented with a great work ethic at the elite level.
“The opportunity to have Dani’s experience at this level and leadership will help shape and develop the group further and I look forward to seeing her succeed at our great club in Season 2023.”
Wise has also spent time playing in the South Coast of New South Wales and Gold Coast in Queensland.
John Markovski, Altona Magic
Altona Magic have appointed John Markovski as their senior coach for season 2023 following the departure of Savvas Patikkis who helped save the club from relegation.
Markovski will be returning to the club.
Leo Mazis, Hume City
Hume City have signed midfielder Leo Mazis for season 2023.
Mazis is an attacking midfielder who is set to bring elite skills and assists and potential goals to the club as it looks to rise up the last from 12th position last season.
Mazis is set to bring a wealth of experience and professionalism to the club having previously spent a few years in the Celtic FC youth squad.
Zach Maltby, Hume City
The club has signed Zach Maltby from Lions FC in Queensland where he has impressed with his skill and attacking acumen.
Yagoub Mustafa, Hume City
The club have signed forward Yagoub Mustafa for season 2023.
Hume said he is a “very hard working, clinical forward” who is set to “instantly improve our attack” with his qualities.
Tomas Maricic, Hume City
Hume City announced the signing of defender Tomas Maricic who stands two metres tall.
Maricic is set to provide “quality both in the air and on the ground” with his extensive experience in Australia and overseas.
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