Adam Taggart has jumped at the opportunity to re-join Perth Glory, with the Socceroo returning to Western Australia on a three-and-a-half-year deal.
In a huge boost for the Glory and the Isuzu UTE A-League, Taggart will officially link up with hometown club Perth from J1 League outfit Cerezo Osaka once the January transfer window opens.
The 29-year-old scored 22 goals across two spells for Perth, having debuted in 2011, and returns to WA with a wealth of experience abroad.
Taggart – the 2019 K League 1 Golden Boot winner during his time at Suwon Bluewings – spent the past two seasons in Japan with Cerezo, where he scored 10 goals across all competitions after bagging five J1 League goals in 2022.
The 17-time Australia international, who was not included in Graham Arnold’s squad for the FIFA Men’s World Cup, also scored against Kevin Muscat’s champions Yokohama F.Marinos this season.
“It’s always been in the back of my mind that if I got the opportunity to come back, I’d jump at it straightaway and when that opportunity did come up, I knew I wasn’t going to let it go,” he said.
“This club means so much to me; it’s my hometown club, the club that I grew up supporting, a club that I know inside out and which is full of people that I love and that I’ve played with and against.
To be able to do it all in front of my family and friends, especially after being away for so long, means a lot to me and it’s just something I felt needed to happen.
At the age of 29, it makes sense to play my best footballing years at Perth Glory.
“Having been at Macedonia Park on Saturday, I got that buzz like you get at HBF Park, the buzz that I had growing up as a kid and it makes you feel at home.
“I can’t wait to get started and do everything I can to help the club and push the club forward.
“Ruben Zadkovich [Head Coach] has played a massive role in getting me back to the club. He’s someone I’ve always had a good relationship with and he was a mentor for me, especially when I was at Newcastle with him.
“He shares the same mentality as me and knows me very well as a player and as a person.”
Taggart’s signing is a coup for the Glory and helps fill the void left by Bruno Fornaroli’s departure prior to the World Cup break.
Perth are second from bottom in the A-League Men but are coming off a 2-1 win over defending champions Western United as they prepare to visit Macarthur FC on Sunday.
“Taggart is a player I’ve seen grow from a young, up- and-coming talent in the A-League into a top-class striker at international level,” said Glory head coach Ruben Zadkovich, who is the subject of this week’s A-Leagues All Access episode.
“During my time as captain of Newcastle Jets, I witnessed first-hand what he is like at the peak of his powers on the grass in terms of finishing.
“I also got the chance to know the depths of him as a person and more importantly, the ability and attributes he has in terms of leading the team from the front as a player.
“He possesses the qualities that a top striker needs, both physically and mentally. He is selfish when he needs to be in front of goal and yet always plays for the team.
I believe he is the right character to spearhead this rebuild at Glory and help drive the club back to the top. Being from Perth and more importantly a Glory fan at heart, he understands what the club is about and what we are working hard to build.
“We are extremely excited to secure his signature and can’t wait to unleash him in the purple jersey again.”
Glory head of recruitment Andy Keogh added: “This is an exciting signing for Perth Glory leading into the January transfer window.
“There was a big void to fill when Bruno Fornaroli left and the planning that took place to make this happen shows a clear vision and direction which the club wishes to go in.
“We can’t wait to get Adam playing in his hometown in front of the Members and fans and of course, his family, in the famous purple of Perth Glory.”
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