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In a boon for their quest to claim back-to-back A-League titles, Melbourne Victory have re-signed marquee striker Besart Berisha for a further two seasons.
Success has followed the Albanian, who has won three A-League championships in his four-and-a-half seasons in Australia – the first two at the Brisbane Roar, before securing his third with Melbourne last season.
He has also been part of two premiership winning teams – with Brisbane in 2013-14, and last year with Victory.
With 63 goals he is third on the league’s all-time goalscorers list, behind teammate Archie Thompson and Sydney FC’s Shane Smeltz. He is also known for scoring in clutch situations, having found the back of the net four times in three grand finals – a brace in his first for Brisbane, and one in each of the subsequent two.
Add a 2015 FFA Cup medal to Berisha’s trophy cabinet – he scored in that final too – as well as the 2011–12 Golden Boot, and you could argue he is the most successful player in the history of the A-League.
Unsurprisingly, coach Kevin Muscat was excited to announce his star forward would be staying at the club until at least 2017-18.
“It is a priority at Melbourne Victory to create an environment at the club that when players arrive, we offer a second-to-none experience, we do what we can to encourage them to stay and Besart’s re-commitment to the club vindicates that,” Muscat said.
“The impact Bes has made on and off the pitch since he arrived at the club has been significant and we are thrilled and excited that he has committed to continue his playing career at Victory.”
For his part, Berisha said felt honoured to be staying with the league’s most successful club.
“Melbourne Victory is a great club in all areas and I feel privileged to be a player at such a successful and professional club,” Berisha said.
“The club enjoyed the ultimate success last season and I, along with all the coaches and players, feel there is so much more to achieve, so I am very excited to be at the club for two more seasons to do what I can to help the club win more trophies.
“We have a great squad, full of depth and talented youth, so the future is bright and I am very excited about this season and beyond at Melbourne Victory.”
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