A-Leagues life: ‘Let’s see what happens’ – Sky Blues favourite hints at A-Leagues return – with another club!

Welcome to A-Leagues life, where KEEPUP brings you all the latest news and goings on at your club. This is how the week is shaping up across the A-Leagues.

He was named the best player in the land after one standout campaign at Sydney FC – and then he was gone.

Now, former Johnny Warren Medallist Adrian Mierzejewski is hinting at an Isuzu UTE A-League return – but in Red, not Sky Blue, and at Adelaide United.

It was a former Red in KEEPUP columnist Robbie Cornthwaite who got the wheels of the rumour mill turning when taking to Twitter on Wednesday morning to point out Adelaide’s desperate need for a number 10 – and the club’s ability to pursue one from overseas in the January window.

Long-term injuries to both Bernardo Oliveira and Zach Clough have left Carl Veart’s side bereft of options in attacking midfield. “They are screaming out for a natural number ten,” wrote Cornthwaite.

It was at this point Mierzejewski joined the conversation.

Sydney FC fans quickly inundated the 35-year-old with messages, expressing their desire to see their former star back in Sky Blue.

“Let’s see what will happen in (January),” replied Mierzejewski.

The Polish midfielder, currently of Henan Songshan Longmen FC in the Chinese Super League, came and went at Sydney FC in a brilliant blur. He scored 13 goals in 25 games for Sydney FC in 2017-18, helping the Sky Blues clinch the premiership. He also won the Mark Viduka Medal as the best afield in Sydney FC’s FFA Cup Final triumph over Adelaide United.

A new adventure for a teenage sensation

Ymer Abili. Aged just 13, he became the youngest player to feature in the Australia Cup in Oakleigh Cannons’ semi-final showdown against A-League Men opponents Macarthur FC.

In September, Abili was sensationally given his first taste of senior football by the NPLM VIC champions after replacing Lewis Italiano.

This was no ordinary debut. This was an Under-14 goalkeeper taking to the field in the semi-finals of a club competition against Dwight Yorke’s Bulls.

Now, the baby-faced teenager has made the move to a club in the Isuzu UTE A-League.

After it gained worldwide attention, Abili – who was part of the 2022-23 Isuzu UTE A-League launch at Allianz Stadium last month – has signed with Melbourne City’s youth academy.

“I would like to thank my family for always believing in me and allowing me to follow my dreams,” he said via Football Victoria.

“I would also like to thank Chris Taylor for giving me the opportunity to come on against Macarthur.

“I hope to set an example for the youth out there so they can see that anything is possible.

“I hope one day I play for my favourite team, Manchester United.

“Working hard always gets you places so hopefully one day you’ll see me playing at Old Trafford”

Melbourne Derby opens City’s pre-season

There are no such things as friendlies, right?

Melbourne City played their first pre-season fixture and it was a Melbourne Derby against rivals Melbourne Victory on Tuesday.

At rain-soaked Casey Fields, City went down 3-2 to the defending champions in a contest split into thirds, with Rhianna Pollicina netting a double for the hosts.

City are away to Wellington Phoenix in their season opener on November 20, after Victory face newcomers Western United on November 19.

‘We need everyone 100% fully committed’ – Why Glory released Fornaroli

Bruno Fornaroli is now a Melbourne Victory player after he and Perth Glory mutually agreed a contract termination on Friday.

Former Glory skipper Fornaroli’s future had been in doubt following his omission from Ruben Zadkovich’s squad for their 2-1 win over Central Coast Mariners in Round 3 – a situation which dominated headlines in the aftermath of Glory’s first win of the 2022-23 Isuzu UTE A-League season.

Glory travelled to Central Coast Stadium without Fornaroli, claiming the one-time Socceroo was “out due to injury” when naming the squad for Sunday’s clash with the Mariners. Fornaroli took to Instagram to respond to the club with a comment which was deleted soon after, claiming he was “100% fit and ready” to travel and play with the team.

While Fornaroli has moved on as a free agent and the Glory are keen to put the situation to bed, their CEO was asked about decision to part with the 35-year-old striker.

“In a nutshell, we were both moving in different directions and had different views of both short term and long term of where the club was at and where it needed to head,” Anthony Radich told 91.3 Sports Breakfast.

“Everyone has a role to play. The way he saw things and how we saw things were different.

“We need everyone 100% fully committed and 100% invested on this path of our rebuild. The team-first mentality for us is a very important thing.

“Just a difference of views.”

An American joins the Jets

Sarah Griffith is Newcastle Jets’ newest recruit for the upcoming Liberty A-League.

The versatile American, who can play as a winger, attacking midfielder or striker, arrives from National Women’s Soccer League outfit Chicago Red Stars.

“I’m excited for Sarah to be finally joining our squad. She is coming to us from Chicago Red Stars in the NWSL where she played in her rookie season after a successful College campaign with Purdue University,” said Jets head coach Ash Wilson.

“Her attitude, work ethic and quality with the ball were key aspects we looked at when deciding she was someone we really wanted to bring into our environment.

“Sarah is a player who is hard working, versatile and has a capacity to score goals. She has great drive and motivation and I know she is going to bring a lot to the team both on and off the pitch with her mentality, resilience and character and I am looking forward to working with her.”

The Jets will begin their season with a trip to Brisbane Roar on November 19.