MOVE BACK ON

March 19 2014

Shepparton News

A busy transfer deadline day has reaped significant reward for soccer club Goulburn Valley Suns.

Not only have the Suns finally secured the services of home-town hero Frankie Lagana, but the club has also signed up Frankie’s brother Rossi and former Melbourne Victory youth player Daniel Chaabani.

Frankie Lagana was meant to sign for the fledgling club ahead of its first competitive fixture, a 1-0 loss against his former club Oakleigh Cannons.

However, the 29-year-old failed to agree terms with the club and seemed set to spend the season with Green Gully.

Lagana told The News on Friday last week his involvement at Gully, where he was the assistant coach, and at Maribyrnong Secondary College had proved too tempting for him to move back to Shepparton.

However, a change of heart has seen Lagana commit to the Suns alongside his brother.

‘‘It’s official now, I had a think about it and it’s more a family decision to join,’’ Lagana said.

‘‘My wife is expecting a baby, and that’s made the decision to relocate a lot easier.

‘‘I’ll end up relocating by the middle to the end of the year. It’s a big opportunity to base myself in Shepparton with a team which will hopefully be around for three or five years and beyond.’’

The midfielder was impressed with the result the Suns managed against the Cannons in round one of the NPLV and said the result showed the club was on the right track.

‘‘It’s an awesome result, to only lose 1-0 against Oakleigh,’’ Lagana said.

‘‘They didn’t have the best year, but when I was there we would be making (Victorian Premier League) grand finals, so they’re a strong club.

‘‘For them to come to Shepp and only score one goal is impressive.

‘‘It shows this club is going to surprise a few people.’’

The Suns’ capacity to surprise has certainly been boosted by the arrival of the Lagana boys and Chaabani, according to club adviser Melvyn Wilkes.

‘‘That completes the squad for us. Everything is in place now,’’ Wilkes said.

‘‘It’s been a frantic four or five weeks, but we’ve got the squad settled now, so now we focus on building on the structure and the performance on Saturday.’’

Chaabani, a central midfielder, has represented Australia at an under-17 level, where he played alongside fellow Sun Hernan Espindola and has been involved in Melbourne Victory’s National Youth League set up.

He played for Pascoe Vale during last season’s VPL season, making 11 appearances, and signed for the club yesterday after speaking to Wilkes and Espindola.

‘‘Hernan asked me to come down and speak to the coach, so I did and then I had to get a release from Pascoe Vale,’’ Chaabani said. ‘‘(Hernan) told me he really liked the club and they treat you well, which is what I wanted. Hopefully, I can play plenty of senior (soccer).’’

The Suns next game is at home against fellow regional outfit Ballarat Red Devils on March 29.