Birighitti becomes the new number one at Melbourne City

Melbourne City have a new number one and Head Coach Warren Joyce hailed Mark Birighitti as 'one of Australia’s brightest goalkeeping talents'.

The 27-year-old joins City on a three-year contract after a season at Dutch Eredivise outfit NAC Breda, where he made 17 appearances as his side survived a relegation battle to finish 14th and stay in the Netherlands' top flight.

Birighitti played more than 80 games in the Hyundai A-League during stints at Adelaide United and Newcastle Jets between 2008 and 2015, before moving to Europe on a loan deal with Italian Serie B club, Varese Calcio, and a spell at Swansea City in the English Premier League.

The Perth-born shot-stopper walked out as a Caltex Socceroo for his one and only appearance against China at the 2013 EAFF East Asian Cup and will now pull on the Melbourne City custodians jersey, much to Joyce's delight.

“Mark is one of Australia’s brightest goalkeeping talents and we think he’s got a lot to give in this stage of his career” said Head Coach, Warren Joyce.

“He communicates well on the field, is a solid shot-stopper and good with his feet. He’s also shown he’s adaptable to different playing styles throughout his career in Australia and Europe.”

Title aspirations

Replacing the outgoing Dean Bouzanis, who is bound for Europe and Dutch club PEC Zwolle, Birighitti was bullish about his ambitions at City.

“I’m pleased to be returning to Australia and to join a club with genuine title aspirations and a group with talent like Melbourne City is very exciting,” said Birighitti.

“I’ve worked hard over the past couple of seasons and learnt a lot which I hope to put that to good use this season and challenge for a regular place in the team.”