Melbourne Heart FC has received a significant boost ahead of the most highly anticipated match of the Hyundai A-League season by re-signing a quartet of Young Socceroo and Olyroo stars.
Melbourne Heart FC has received a significant boost ahead of the most highly anticipated match of the Hyundai A-League season by re-signing a quartet of Young Socceroo and Olyroo stars.
Reinforcing Heart-s commitment to promoting elite young talent, Eli Babalj, Aziz Behich, B.J Hamill and Jason Hoffman have all inked new deals, ensuring they will remain at the Club until the end of the Hyundai A-League 2013 season and beyond.
Head Coach John van ‘t Schip believes the announcement signals an affirmation of Melbourne Heart FC-s continued emphasis on providing opportunities for emerging players.
“Developing the next generation of professional players is an important part of the Club-s philosophy. Helping young players is a contribution that goes beyond just our club but helps Australian football overall,” van ‘t Schip said.
“Our goal is to offer a pathway for future Socceroos. In Eli, Aziz, Brendan and Jason, we believe we have four very talented young players capable of one day doing just that, representing Australia at senior international level if they keep working hard.
“They have all already achieved international recognition at youth level, and represent the future of this Club and what we hope to achieve and become.”
A towering centre forward, Babalj has made his mark as a member of Heart-s starting eleven this season, netting twice as part of the Club-s revamped attack, while Behich has emerged as one of the leading left sided players in the Hyundai A-League, earning Olympic recognition.
At 19 years of age, Hamill meanwhile has continued his evolution into a leading performer, producing a series of assured performances in the centre of defence, joining Hoffman, 22, who is another to have grown in stature this season through performances with Heart and the Olyroos.
In addition to the quartet, Heart has already contracted exciting talents Curtis Good, 18, Adrian Zahra, 21, and Mate Dugandzic, 22, for next season.
