Hyundai A-League summer transfer window wrap
After a month of speculation and activity during the Hyundai A-League transfer window, things came to a head in the final hours as a flurry of movements ensued.
Jamie Maclaren will make his much-awaited return to Australian shores, donning Melbourne City's colours, while Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory made some acute acquisitions themselves.
Central Coast Mariners injected their side with some overseas-based youth, as Adelaide United bolstered their injury-ravaged forward line.
We recap all the big moves below.
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Sydney and Wellington make a splash
What better way to get the action started than with some attacking signings?
Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix got the ball rolling by adding firepower to their squads, signing Anthony Caceres on loan and Cillian Sheridan for the rest of the season, respectively.
Days earlier, Western Sydney Wanderers had signed Kwame Yeboah as a free agent after his stint in Germany, though it technically fell out of the transfer window.
Victory continues to put faith in the untried
Melbourne Victory are beginning to develop a reputation of a side unearthing diamonds from the rough.
Last season, the club signed Kenjok 'Kenny' Athiu from Heidelberg United, with the striker beginning to show the killer instincts of an established striker.
So when Victory announced the signing of Elvis Kamsoba from Avondale FC, there was a groundswell of anticipation.
And so far, the tricky winger has performed well - inspiring Kevin Muscat's side to a 3-2 comeback win over Central Coast Mariners in Round 17.
Lesiotis crosses the divide
Speaking of Melbourne Victory, the club made a signal of intent by signing young gun Anthony Lesiotis from crosstown rivals Melbourne City.
The 18-year-old made his debut against Brisbane Roar on January 15, 2019 when he replaced captain Carl Valeri.
Central Coast busy in the window
The Mariners faithful may have been sad to see injury-ravaged Ross McCormack return to parent club Aston Villa, but Mike Mulvey had a trick up his sleeve.
Weeks later, Central Coast would make one of the signings of the window, unveiling former Reading midfielder Jem Karacan.
Interestingly, Karacan used to play alongside Adam Le Fondre and Kalifa Cisse, with the defender recently retiring to take up an off-field role with the Mariners.
Mulvey would bring in two more players in the form of Sheffield United youngsters Sam Graham and Stephen Mallon.
Graham will fill the role of Antony Golec, who departed for the Phoenix, while Mallon will add pace and guile to the wings.
Rumblings across Sydney
Western Sydney Wanderers made one of the largest signings of the window, luring Mitchell Duke back to the Hyundai A-League on an 18-month contract.
The 28-year-old, who grew up in Sydney's west but last played on Australian shores in Gosford, returns to the league following four years in the J1 League with Shimizu S-Pulse.
Sydney gain experience, Roar lose some
More action would follow for the Sky Blues with the signing of former IR Iran international Reza Ghoochannejhad for the rest of the Hyundai A-League 2018/19 Season.
The striker arrived from APOEL in Cyprus with an impressive pedigree, having also played 44 times for his country and scoring 17 goals.
Days later, the Sky Blues would sign Mitch Austin as a free agent after the forward was released by Newcastle Jets.
Meanwhile, Brisbane Roar's defence took a hit with the departure of experienced stalwart Avraam Papadopoulos.
The 34-year-old was in his second season with the club but returns to Olympiacos in the Greek Super League. Papadopoulos made more than 30 international appearances for Greece between 2008 and 2014.
Across the ditch, Wellington Phoenix captured Team Wellington captain Justin Gulley.
Deals left late in Adelaide and Melbourne
In a final flurry of the transfer window, Adelaide United, Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City made decisive signings.
The Reds signed forward Jordy Thomassen on loan from Dutch club De Graafschap for the rest of the season. The 25-year-old stands at an imposing 189 centimetres and will be relied upon to help end Adelaide's injury woes up front.
On the same day as Adelaide making their signings, a familiar face returned to Melbourne Victory as James Donachie signed on loan with the club for the rest of the season.
The Championship-winning defender made the move from Jeonnam Dragons in the Korea Republic, while Nick Ansell went the other way as a free agent.
Finally, Jamie Maclaren returned to the Hyundai A-League after signing for Melbourne City.
The former prolific Perth Glory and Brisbane Roar striker will look to spearhead City's charge for silverware as the season reaches the pointy end.
He'll be joined by talented Tottenham Hotspur youth Shayon Harrison, who arrived at City on loan for the rest of the campaign.
Hyundai A-League summer transfer window wrap
Anthony Caceres (Melbourne City) - Sydney FC
Cillian Sheridan (unattached) - Wellington Phoenix
Kwame Yeboah (unattached) - Western Sydney Wanderers
Elvis Kamsoba (Avondale) - Melbourne Victory
Anthony Lesiotis (Melbourne City) - Melbourne Victory
Jem Karacan (unattached) - Central Coast Mariners
Mitchell Duke (unattached) - Western Sydney Wanderers
Justin Gulley (Team Wellington) - Wellington Phoenix
Reza Ghoochannejhad (APOEL FC) - Sydney FC (loan)
Anthony Golec (Central Coast Mariners) - Wellington Phoenix
Mitch Austin (Newcastle Jets) - Sydney FC
Jordy Thomassen (De Graafschap) - Adelaide United (loan)
Sam Graham (Sheffield United) - Central Coast Mariners (loan)
Stephen Mallon (Sheffield United) - Central Coast Mariners (loan)
James Donachie (Jeonnam Dragons) - Melbourne Victory (loan)
Jamie Maclaren (SV Darmstadt 98) - Melbourne City
Shayon Harrison (Tottenham Hotstpur) - Melbourne City (loan)
