Melbourne Heart striker Eli Babalj has signed a four-year deal with Dutch side AZ Alkmaar, the A-League club announced on Saturday.
Babalj had travelled to the Netherlands to undergo a medical after AZ Alkmaar scouts visited Melbourne earlier this season to see him play for the Heart.
“”Eli has attracted attention from Europe which is testament to his calibre and character and we wish him all the best at AZ,” Heart chief executive Scott Munn said in a statement.
The 21-year old Babalj played nine games for the Heart this season and scored one goal.
Over the previous two A-League seasons he appeared for the Heart 35 times and scored 11 goals.
Babalj played with Serbian Superliga side Red Star Belgrade for the 2012/13 season where he represented the side in the UEFA Europa League.
Dakdekker in Alkmaar
Guest
We are very pleased with the transfer to Alkmaar AZ.
Franko
Guest
Great news, any idea of the transfer fee?
nordster
Guest
Will be following him in eredivisie now, hope they sell someone ahead of him in close season!
Stevo
Guest
Well we now know why his Heart wasn't quite in it after returning from Red Star. Seems like he was too busy contemplating his next move to AZ rather than onfield HAL action. Good luck Eli and for sure as heck Heart will again be balancing the books this year :)