A new look Melbourne Knights squad is beginning to take shape ahead of the club’s 70th anniversary season.
Knights new Head Coach Ben Cahn, who arrives from Olympic FC in Queensland has assembled an exciting squad containing a number of new and returning faces ahead of the 2023 NPL Victoria season which kicks off in February. Together with Cahn, Ben Surey has been appointed as Assistant Coach for the 2023 season, with Tony Belica remaining as Goalkeeper Coach, newcomer Andrew Shaw stepping in as Physiotherapist, Strength and Conditioning specialist and Jason Rastocic as Team Manager.
Headlining the club’s arrivals is the return of Ivan & Josip Franjic who are back at Somers Street, strengthening Knights defensive stocks after spending last season at Heidelberg United. Read more.
Defender, Corey Sewell is another player to return to the club, coming back to Knights after spending the past three seasons at Bentleigh Greens where he was crowned as Players’ Player in 2022. Read more.
Midfielder, Mitch Hore joins Sewell in swapping Bentleigh Greens for Melbourne Knights the pair were key cogs in a Greens side that won the 2022 Dockerty Cup and reached the Australia Cup Round of 16. Read more.
Three-time NPL Victoria Goalkeeper of the Year Chris Oldfield will be between the sticks for the 2023 season, with the 31-year-old making the switch from Altona Magic. Read more.
Joining the club from further afield is midfielder, Steve Whyte who comes with Ben Cahn from Olympic FC after earning a place in each of the past three NPL Queensland Teams of the Season. Read more.
Another player arriving from interstate is Ciaran Bramwell, the forward arrives from Perth Glory where he made 27 A-League appearances, scoring three times to add to his eight goals in the 2022 NPLWA season. Read more.
Towering 6’4” central defender, Josh Phelps makes the move to Somers Street from the United States where he plied his trade for USL League One Champions, South Georgia Tormenta FC. The Australian born defender returns home after spending six seasons with Tormenta. Read more.
Further bolstering the sides defensive unit is former Knights junior, Tomas Karlovic who is back at Somers Street after spending the past four years at Melbourne Victory, most recently as part of their 2022 U21 Premiership winning side. Read more.
Gian Albano, Luka Kolic, Mohammed Sumaoro, Trevor Ssemakula and Jack Morton have all been confirmed as re-signing at Somers Street ahead of the 2023 NPL Victoria season.
The club still has several signings and re-signings to announce in the new year to add to the 14 already confirmed players.
Melbourne Knights also wish to confirm the departures of: Theiry Iradukunda, Ayden Brice, Justin Micallef, Dylan Murnane, George Ott, Thomas Manos, Taylor Schrijvers and Steve Sokol. Melbourne Knights wishes to thank all departing players for their contribution to the club and wish them all the best for the future.
Knights will kick off their 2023 NPL Victoria campaign on the road against St Albans on Sunday, February 19 (5pm KO).
Melbourne Knights FC 2023 NPL Victoria squad (Announced): 3. Josh PHELPS, 4. Corey SEWELL, 5. Ivan FRANJIC, 7. Mitch HORE, 8. Steve WHYTE, 9. Ciaran BRAMWELL, 10. Gian ALBANO, 13. Chris OLDFIELD (GK), 16. Mohammed SUMAORO, 17. Trevor SSEMAKULA, 8. Jack MORTON, 19. Luka KOLIC, 27. Joseph FRANJIC, 33. Tomas KARLOVIC