Oliver Bozanic will reunite with head coach Alen Stajcic after the experienced Australian midfielder completed a loan move to Perth Glory from Western Sydney Wanderers.
Bozanic – a seven-time Socceroo – moves to Isuzu UTE A-League rivals Perth on loan until January 2024.
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The 34-year-old scored three goals in 10 starts for Western Sydney last season, having arrived from Central Coast Mariners but he now reunites with new Glory boss Stajcic after the pair worked together in Gosford between 2019 and 2021.
“I’m looking forward to getting started and meeting up with the team,” Bozanic, who has amassed almost 200 A-League Men appearances, said.
“I’ve heard a lot of great things about them.
“I’m very happy to work with Staj [Head Coach Alen Stajcic] and Naz [Assistant Head Coach Nahuel Arrarte] again following our time at the Mariners.
“Joining Perth is fantastic. I believe it’s a great opportunity for us as a team to unite the fans and create something special this season.”
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Bozanic brings a wealth of experience to a Glory team determined to end the club’s finals drought, which now stands at four consecutive seasons.
Under Ruben Zadkovich, Glory finished ninth in 2022-23 before the coach stepped down in June, with Perth eventually turning to Stajcic after his history-making impact with Philippines women’s national team at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Bozanic was a Premiership and Championship winner with the Mariners, while the former Hearts and Luzern midfield also won the 2015 Australia Cup during his time at Melbourne Victory.
“Oli is a tremendous addition to our squad,” Stajcic said.
“Having worked with him before, I know that he brings not only a wealth of experience, but outstanding leadership qualities.
“His humility, drive for excellence and winning mentality are infectious and will be a great boost to our entire squad.”
It has been a busy off-season for Glory in Perth.
Oli Sail (Wellington Phoenix), Daniel Bennie (scholarship contract), Jaylan Pearman (scholarship contract), Aleksandar Susnjar (Macarthur FC), Bruce Kamau (OFI Crete) and Riley Warland (Perth RedStar) have all arrived prior to Bozanic.
Meanwhile, Liam Reddy (Perth RedStar), Jacob Dowse (Newcastle Jets), Brad Jones (retired), Keegan Jelacic (Gent), Antonee Burke-Gilroy, Pierce Clark (Heidelberg United), Jack Clisby (Western Sydney Wanderers), Zach Duncan (end of loan), Matt Hatch (Marconi Stallions), Mitch Oxborrow (Olympic Kingsway), Adrian Sardinero, Jacob Young, Chris Donnell (Fulham), Ryan Williams (Bengaluru) and Jordan Elsey (East Bengal) have departed.
