Melbourne Heart FC officially unveiled new signing Vince Grella at a press conference at AAMI Park today.
Melbourne Heart FC Head Coach has labelled new signing Vince Grella as one of the best defensive midfielders Australia has produced and an invaluable role model for younger players at the Club.
Aloisi praised his new recruit-s undisputed talent and football resume, while underlining his excitement at working closely with Grella, a player Aloisi believes will fill an on-field mentor role.
Grella was unveiled today as Heart-s latest signing and handed the number 31 jersey – a numerical play on his favourite number 13 – which is currently occupied by fellow Heart midfielder Jonatan Germano.
“It-s very exciting,” Aloisi said of Grella-s arrival at the Heart.
“Exciting for a few reasons; the type of player that Vinnie is, I know him very well because I played with him for a quite a few years and he-s a player, a defensive midfielder, that we have been looking for who can control the game.
“Tactically he is as good as I-ve ever played with so that makes life easier for a coach because he can pass on the information to the players out on the pitch.
“And as a professional, I-ve been played with quite a few, and he-s as good as you-ll get.”
“It-s great for the younger players coming through; he-ll be able to help them progress and improve as players and as professionals.”
Aloisi emphasised that he hoped Grella-s impact at the club would help the side challenge for the Hyundai A-League championship.
“He-s, along with Paul Okon, the best defensive midfielder this country has ever produced,” Aloisi said.
“I think it-s great for the Heart and great for me to have a player of Vinnie-s calibre.”
While Grella is still settling back into life in Melbourne and shaking the effects of a long-haul flight from Europe, the 33-year-old is happy to wait until the time is right to make his return.
“I-m feeling good so far, I-m getting over a bit of jet lag, but I had a good session yesterday and we hope to gradually build it up,” Grella said.
Aloisi stated that Grella-s arrival had created a “good headache” in terms of selection, given that, when fit, Grella-s addition to an already strong midfield trio of Richard Garcia, Fred and Matt Thompson, would free up other more versatile players in the team.
Grella said that he was looking forward to “getting back to enjoying football”, while helping to mentor young players at the Club
“Have a role also outside the football field, helping the young players develop, which is one of the key [focuses] of Melbourne Heart Football Club,” Grella said.
