Perth Glory have secured the services of 22-year-old forward Luke Ivanovic on a two-year deal.
The former Sydney FC junior notched 38 appearances over three seasons in Sky Blue before departing for Brisbane Roar ahead of the 2021-22 Isuzu UTE A-League campaign, making a further 20 appearances (nine starts) and scoring four goals.
Ivanovic, who played youth football for the Football NSW Institute, APIA Leichardt and Bonnyrigg White Eagles, departs the Roar after an 11th-place finish last season to join Perth, last season’s wooden spooners looking to rebuild under head coach Ruben Zadkovich.
Ivanovic is Perth’s 13th off-season signing.
“I thought to myself that this is a great opportunity to go to such a competitive club and see what they are building up to this year,” he said.
“Having spoken to (Zadkovich), I am super-excited to come across to a fantastic club.
“I want to be winning games and scoring goals. I want to be a key asset to the team and I’m really looking forward to getting started.”
Zadkovich added: “Luke is a very exciting talent in the top half of the pitch.
“He possesses a lot of high quality attributes that suit our model and has a sharp eye for goal.
“We are very excited to have a player like Luke in our ranks.
“He will add a different dimension to our frontline, has a lot of scope to improve and is real prospect for the club.”
In the hours after Perth snaring Ivanovic’s signature for 2022-23, Carlo Armiento’s Glory contract was terminated by mutual consent, allowing the 23-year-old to sign with Brisbane. The 23-year-old departs Perth after recovering from an ACL injury sustained in pre-season last year, in search of regular first team football which Perth was unable to guarantee this season.
“Carlo is a top person first and foremost,” Zadkovich said, “and is very well respected at this club and also in this group of players.
“He expressed his desire to pursue another opportunity elsewhere and we respected his wishes as we couldn’t guarantee him the regular first team football he wanted off the back of his long-term injury.
“We wish him all the best in his career and future endeavours.”
After signing for Warren Moon’s Roar, Armiento said: “I’m excited and honoured with the opportunity to be joining one of the most successful clubs in Australia.
“I can’t wait to get over to Brisbane to meet my new teammates, coaches and supporters.”
PERTH GLORY – INS, OUTS AND RE-SIGNINGS
In: Stefan Colakovski (Melbourne City), Matt Hatch (Central Coast Mariners), Keegan Jelacic (Olympic FC), Mustafa Amini (Sydney FC), Ryan Williams (Oxford United), Mark Beevers (Peterborough United), Ben Azubel (Hapoel Raanana), Aaron McEneff (Hearts), Johnny Koutroumbis (Western Sydney Wanderers), David Williams (ATK Mohun Bagan), Zach Duncan (AGF Aarhus), Jacob Dowse (promoted), Luke Ivanovic (Brisbane Roar)
Out: Daniel Sturridge, Andy Keogh (retired), Nick Fitzgerald, Osama Malik (Odisha), Josh Rawlins (FC Utrecht), Darko Stanojevic, Jonathan Aspropotamitis, Brandon O’Neill (Newcastle Jets), Kosuke Ota, Daniel Stynes (Newcastle Jets), Callum Timmins (Newcastle Jets), Carlo Armiento (Brisbane Roar)
Re-signings: Luke Bodnar, Cameron Cook, Joseph Forde, Giordano Colli, Jacob Young, Jacob Muir, Adam Zimarino, Mitch Oxborrow, Trent Ostler
