Former Adelaide United midfielder Fabian Barbiero has agreed to join North Eastern MetroStars ahead of the 2014 National Premier League season. 

 

Barbiero, who featured in 8 matches for Croydon in last seasons National Premier League, returns to TK Shutter Reserve after seven years after joining Adelaide United in 2007.

 

Senior Coach Ivan Karlovic was pleased to have a player with the calibre of Barbiero join the club for season 2014.

 

“We are delighted to welcome Fabian and his family back to the club after his successful period with Adelaide United. Fabian will bring a wealth of quality, experience and professionalism to our playing group.

 

“I am excited to be working with Fabian again albeit this time as a coach and am looking forward to the football he will produce this season. It is not only fantastic for our club, but for the league it is great to have a player of Fabian’s calibre playing,” said Karlovic.

 

Barbiero commenced his senior career with South Adelaide in 2002, before joining Adelaide Galaxy and later MetroStars in 2006. Barbiero featured in 32 matches for MetroStars.

 

Joining Barbiero at the clubs first training session this week, were new signings Alex Capel and Anthony Ivanov.

 

21 year old Capel, a striker, joined the club after impressing for Cumberland United last season in the National Premier League.

 

Capel scored 14 goals in 14 matches for South Adelaide in the first half of last season, before moving to Cumberland United and featuring in 12 matches.

 

“Alex has been brought into the side to give us more depth and add another dimension to our attack which we felt was lacking last season. He had a great start to the season with South Adelaide and we hope we can replicate that form this coming season.

 

“Still young, we feel with our environment and playing group Alex will further develop his potential” said Karlovic.

 

Goalkeeper Anthony Ivanov has been secured for the new season from SAASL outfit Fulham United. Ivanov, a former SA Sports Institute product, played Senior level football for Olympic FC (2003) and Raiders (2004) before suffering long term injuries which kept him out of the game.

 

Ivanov pulled on the gloves once again last season where he featured in the SAASL Premier Division. Ivanov will play a supporting role under goalkeeper Daniel Godley.

 

“I have known Anthony for a number of years and he has always been a talented goalkeeper who gave the game away at a young age. His passion has been rekindled and it is a perfect opportunity for Anthony to reintroduce himself to Premier League level.

“Working with Lindsay Patterson and Daniel Godley will help Anthony raise his game to another level and hopefully fulfill the potential he has always shown,” said Karlovic.

 

MetroStars is pleased to announce that Lawrence D'Arrigo, Stefan Cali, Andrew Orphanou and Adrian Polisena have been promoted to the Senior squad for season 2014.

 

D’Arrigo (23 matches), Orphanou (13 matches) and Polisena (10 matches) all impressed in their matches with the senior team last season.

 

Cali, who suffered a long term injury at the beginning of last season, returns to the senior squad. The Senior squad also features a number of train on players from the Reserves squad.

 

“It is great to have Stef back playing after suffering an unfortunate knee injury with Adelaide United Youth. We are hoping as the season progresses Stef will start to find the form that saw him play some senior games in 2012.

 

“Lawrence, Adrian and Andrew all were an integral part in our 2013 season and have shown they have the ability to play at this level and perform to required level. I am excited to work with them and develop them further, so that they become regular senior players for the next decade at MetroStars,” said Karlovic.