Former Melbourne Victory defender Giancarlo Gallifuoco will play the rest of the Hyundai A-League season with Western Sydney Wanderers.
The 25-year-old was confirmed on an injury-replacement deal for Wanderers youngster Jordan O’Doherty, who ruptured his ACL in the club’s last match against Perth Glory.
Gallifuoco, who can play both in defence and midfield, will also help cover the injured Patrick Ziegler who also won’t play again in the 2018/19 Season.
“I feel awesome to be honest and honoured to have signed with the club,” Gallifuoco told the Wanderers’ official website.
“The gaffer (Markus Babbel) spoke to me and I’m grateful because I know players on the team and they’ve given me a really warm welcome.
“A massive motivator in me coming to the Wanderers was that I am originally from Sydney and as much as I’ve loved the clubs I have played for, you don’t have the same connection like you do when you’re from a club that represents you.
“My goals are to help the team, help their goals and be as much of an aid as I can be.”
After graduating from the Australian Institute of Sport, Gallifuoco was snapped by the Youth Academy of Tottenham Hotspur in 2012.
He played 29 matches over two seasons with the club’s U23 team before a short stint at Swansea.
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Gallifuoco returned to Australia to play with Melbourne Victory in 2015 before stints in England with Torquay United and Dover Athletic.
His most recent club was in Italy’s Serie C where he played with FC Rieti.
Gallifuoco is in contention to take on Brisbane Roar in the Wanderers’ Round 21 clash at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
