Melbourne City secures Valon Berisha for new A-League season

There will be a Berisha playing in the A-League this season, but it’s not who you might think it is.

Valon Berisha (centre) has joined Melbourne City. Picture: AFP / Patrik STOLLARZ

Berisha is back in the A-League … not Besart, but Valon.

Kosovan international Valon Berisha has joined Melbourne City on loan from French club Reims.

The 29-year-old midfielder, who represented Norway before switching his international allegiance to Kosovo in 2016, has also had stints at Lazio (Italy), Fortuna Dusseldorf (Germany), Red Bull Salzburg (Austria) in a senior career which started in 2009 when he joined Norwegian club Egersund.

Melbourne City director of football Michael Petrillo said Berisha’s game “fits what we need from our key midfield players”.

Welcome to City, Valon 💙

𝗡𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝘁'𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗼𝗻! 👉 https://t.co/XRvx6Cyk2Hpic.twitter.com/5W52xA1eY5

— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) September 7, 2022

“We’re excited to bring Valon to Melbourne City,” Petrillo said.

“He plays with aggression and intensity both in and out of possession and has impressive technical ability.

“He is the type of player that will create chances and is also very capable of scoring himself.”

Berisha said playing for City presented him with a “new challenge”.

“I’m very excited to be here in Melbourne with a team that has been so successful on the pitch over the last few years,” said the winner of five Austrian titles.

“I will do my best to help the team win more silverware this season. The players and coaches have been fantastic since I arrived and I’m excited to meet the City fans at our first match.”

Originally published as Melbourne City secures Valon Berisha for new A-League season