Melbourne City FC’s Australian marquee Josh Kennedy has arrived in Melbourne and will commence training with the Club this week.
Kennedy, 32, who was signed for the 2014/15 and 2015/16 Hyundai A-League seasons in November, officially commences with the Club in January 2015, but will begin preliminary training ahead of the Asian Cup break.
Kennedy joins from Japanese side Nagoya Grampus, and the Club’s new number 16 said he is looking forward to fitting in with his new team.
“It’s been good to be back with the family and I’ve come in here, to the Club, to do a few individual sessions so it’s been good,” Kennedy said.
“For me I really want to come in and fit into the team as quickly as possible, play my part in the team and do my job on the pitch; score a few goals and hopefully set a few up.”
The towering striker said it had been an easy decision to join Melbourne City FC after five years in the J-League with Nagoya Grampus, where Kennedy scored 63 goals in 128 appearances.
“The opportunity arose and I think the Club is headed in a really exciting direction,” Kennedy said.
“I think the way that the coach wants to play, getting the ball out wide and getting the ball in the box, I think that’s going to be really beneficial for the way I play and hopefully I can slot in there and finish things off.”
Joining the likes of Aaron Mooy, Erik Paartalu, Damien Duff and Robert Koren as new recruits this season, Kennedy said he was excited about training and playing alongside his new colleagues.
“The team is full of some really talented players. Aaron Mooy has been really good this year and I think once Robi Koren gets back on the pitch, he is going to make a big difference,” Kennedy said.
Kennedy also said he was eager to impart wisdom on the younger, promising players on Melbourne City FC’s list.
“I think the easiest way for me to give advice is to lead by example and I want to do that as much on the pitch as off the pitch and hopefully they will see what I do and take that as automatic advice.”
In joining Melbourne City FC, the towering Victorian-born striker returns to the State where he played his junior football, before embarking on a successful career in Germany and Japan.
Kennedy has represented Australia on 33 occasions, scoring 17 goals for the Socceroos, with his most important in Australia’s World Cup qualification match in June 2013.
