New Zealand footballer Kosta Barbarouses has signed with Sydney FC after departing A-League rivals Melbourne Victory.
The A-League club announced on Friday the 29-year-old forward would be joining the Sky Blues from the 2019-20 season.
“He’s very fast, he scores goals. I think he’s going to be very exciting for our fans to watch as well,” head coach Steve Corica said.
Barbarouses had two stints with Victory, making 161 appearances and scoring 51 goals across 2013-16 and 2017-19.
“After a couple of conversations I’ve had with Kosta I knew he was the right person to lead the attacking line this season,” Corica said.
“He’s a great guy. When we look at players first and foremost we look for people who fit into the culture of the club. He definitely does.”
Barbarouses, who put the decision aside until the season was over, said he saw it as a fresh challenge.
“The challenge of defending the championship is very appealing to me,” he said.
“As soon as I found out that a great club like Sydney wanted me to play for the club it was a really easy decision and I was really eager to get here,” he said.
“I want to win trophies and I want to be a big part of a big team.”
When asked about leaving Victory for its well-known rival he said he was prepared for some people to be angry about his decision.
“It was a tough decision to leave in general, that’s football, that happens. I’ve had really good success there. The fans treated me really well,” he said.
“There’s going to be some obvious backlash to that but most people will understand and everyone will move on.”
He said he’s not fazed about the pressure to score goals.
“I like the pressure, I like the expectation on me. Looking back I’ve performed better when there is expectation and pressure on me,” he said.
He and his wife Tara are expecting a baby in September which was another reason behind the decision.
“I could see myself and my family here for the next three years,” he said.
His time with Melbourne Victory includes the historic domestic treble season in 2014-15, in which the forward proved crucial to Victory’s A-League Premiership, Championship and FFA Cup title wins.
He also scored the winning goal in the 2017-18 Grand Final against Newcastle Jets to secure a fourth championship for the club.
Onside
Guest
Or , free agent, contract ran out?
Onside
Guest
What transfer fee would he have commanded in a 'similar ' quality competition in another country. Am I right in assuming Sydney paid Melbourne Victory nothing.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Top signing. I think the overseas leagues have made a mistake overlooking him and MV have lost their key player. At least this time they were outbid by a decent amount, whereas it was crazy to let Fred go to the MLS on 150k. There are only a handful of good attacking players in A-league history who also work hard without the ball.
Nemesis
Guest
Agree with that. So why did you post "Playing with the champions."?
Punter
Roar Rookie
Yep but like you, we both agree they were not the real champions, just the finals champions. As the true premiers in 2017/18 was SFC & in 2018/19 was Perth. So Kosta did not & will not play with the premiers.
Nemesis
Guest
Punter, I think you've got your English comprehension wrong. You suggested Kosta moved to Sydney in order to be: "Playing with the champions." That's a valid hypothesis. I said: Kosta played 2018/19 with the Champions & I hope he provides the same success playing with Sydney FC as Champions as he did playing for MVFC in 2018/19.
That A-League Fan
Roar Guru
“I want to win trophies and I want to be a big part of a big team.” Victory is a bigger team than Sydney and he has won trophies with them. I'm no Victory supporter but what is that supposed to mean?
Redondo
Roar Rookie
Expect SFC to buy some more great talent for next season... Kosta Barbarouses' $750,000 per-year deal with Sydney FC could fit inside the salary cap due to new regulations. http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/how-sydney-fc-squeezed-marquee-barbarouses-inside-the-salary-cap-20190607-p51vky.html?btis
Punter
Roar Rookie
Nem I think you have your years wrong, SFC are the current champions.
Redondo
Roar Rookie
Punter - I think Nemesis was taunting Mr F with irony, and rightly so too. As for Broxham, the less said the better. Toivonen and Honda must wonder.
Redondo
Roar Rookie
2017/18
Nemesis
Guest
He also played with the Champions in 2018/19. Let's hope he has the same impact on Sydney FC next season.
Punter
Roar Rookie
You still have the Broxham, that over rated hack, who is your player of the year.
Punter
Roar Rookie
Playing with the champions.
Nemesis
Guest
Agree with you on this. Average player with a skill set that's easily replaced. Will be earning A$750,000 per year for 3 years. Probably the sort of wage that's paid to the top 10% of players in the sports of Rugby, Rugby League & Aussie Rules.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Average A-League player, dime a dozen type of player.
Nemesis
Guest
"For the sake of the fans the HAL need to look at the salary cap and maybe have some bonus strctures like the NBA to encourage player loyalty." It's already done. There is a loyalty component that gives a discount to players under the Salary Cap. Loyalty Players: A club can spend up to collective $200,000 across any number of players who have played 5 ore more consecutive seasons for that Club. 25% of the player's salary is excluded in the 5th yr of continuous service, rising by 5% each year to maximum of 50% exclusion in the 10th consecutive year & onward.
Brian
Guest
For the sake of the fans the HAL need to look at the salary cap and maybe have some bonus strctures like the NBA to encourage player loyalty
DL2191
Guest
... and I quote (from ftbl) : "I want to win trophies and I want to be part of a big team..."
Bruz
Roar Rookie
Huge signing. One of the most underrated players for the last 4-5 years