Around the grounds: The key attribute the Reds are getting with Troisi signing

He has international experience with the Caltex Socceroos and knows what it takes to win the Hyundai A-League title.

But there’s one other major factor Adelaide United liked in James Troisi that convinced the club to sign him on a two-year deal.

The Reds threw Troisi a Hyundai A-League lifeline over the weekend, snapping up the South Australian-born playmaker after he was let go by Melbourne Victory at the end of last season.

And Reds Director of Football Bruce Djite, who played with Troisi at Turkish club Gençlerbirliği, said the capture of the 31-year is crucial to his club’s hopes of success.

“If I could sum it up in one word I’d say quality,” Djite said when asked what 31-year-old Troisi will bring to the Reds.

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“He’s a quality player, I had the pleasure of playing with him when I played and I know first-hand how good he is.

“And we’ve seen him in the A-League and with the national team and he always provides quality. It doesn’t matter who you talk to that’s one word they’d use to describe him.

“So I feel our midfield needed to add a bit of quality to be more competitive and I think we’ve done that in securing James.”

While Troisi has only just started training with the Reds, he is hopeful of playing some part in Friday night's season-opener against Sydney FC at Coopers Stadium.

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James Troisi
James Troisi signed a two-year deal with the Reds on Saturday

Fornaroli ready for glory after difficult 12 months

It’s been almost a year since Perth Glory recruit Bruno Fornaroli last played in the Hyundai A-League so Sunday’s season-opener against Brisbane Roar can’t come soon enough.

The Uruguayan endured a forgettable 2018/19 campaign at Melbourne City, failing to feature for the club after the Round 4 clash against Wellington Phoenix.

Despite being fully fit, Fornaroli was forced to watch the rest of the campaign from the stands.

But after signing with Glory in March, the prolific striker will finally resume his Hyundai A-League career with Tony Popovic’s premiers, starting with the Roar clash at HBF Park on Sunday evening.

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“One of my worst years in my career in terms of the way I leave Melbourne City,” Fornaroli told AAP.

“I’m very grateful to the club and everyone knows this so it’s tough to leave like this also when I think I do very well for them and I fight a lot for that club. In that way it’s not good for anyone.

“Now it’s finished, now I’m looking forward.

“That’s why now I can’t wait to start...I think we have a great team to fight for the title this year.”

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Bruno Fornaroli can't wait to get back out on the pitch in the Hyundai A-League
Bruno Fornaroli can't wait to get back out on the pitch in the Hyundai A-League

Jurman: It’s good to be on the other side

He was once a member of Western Sydney Wanderers’ most bitter rivals but now Matt Jurman is relishing the prospect of having the famous Red and Black support behind him.

Jurman is one of a host of key signings made by Markus Babbel in the off-season as the club look to make the Finals Series for the first time in three seasons.

It’s the Caltex Socceroos defender’s history which makes his signing an interesting one, with Jurman a key part of Sydney FC’s defence from 2013 to 2017.

In fact, one of the two goals he scored in that time at the Sky Blues, came against the Wanderers in a Sydney Derby.

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“The Sydney Derby is another level in terms of the intensity and atmosphere. Obviously I have been on the other side, but I am looking forward to playing at Bankwest Stadium for the whole season and having the support here,” Jurman told the Wanderers official website.

“To have my family and friends there will be special. Most of my friends follow the Wanderers.

“We have the (Central Coast) Mariners in the first game (on Saturday, October 12), that is the main focus for us.

“We are looking to get a win in our first game back at home and that will kick start us for the rest of the season.”

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This article was originally published on the Hyundai A-League website.
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