Two years after leaving the A-League for Russia, Kosta Barbarouses is back, this time with Melbourne Victory. The 23-year-old New Zealand international previously played under Ange Postecoglou at Brisbane Roar, winning the 2010/11 championship and leading the team in scoring before commanding an AU$600,000 transfer fee to Alania Vladikavkaz.
Kosta Barbarouses returns to A-League at Melbourne Victory
The former Wellington Phoenix and Brisbane Roar attacker comes to Melbourne Victory as a replacement for the departed Marco Rojas.
In his first season at Vladikavkaz, Barbarouses helped the second division side to a second place finish and promotion to the Russian Premier League. In 2012/13, the dynamic attacker went on loan to Greek Superleague side Panathinaikos where he appeared in just 11 games. Now, according to a Victory press release, Barbarouses has been released from the final year of his Russian contract and has inked a three-year deal in Melbourne.
Said Postecoglou about bringing Barbarouses back to the A-League:
”We are delighted to have Kosta on board with us at Melbourne Victory and he will add even more attacking flair to our team this season. Kosta has plenty of pace, great technical ability and is a proven scorer, having netted 12 goals the last time he played in the A-League.
While he’s only 23, he has made over 50 appearances at Brisbane Roar and Wellington Phoenix, so he’s certainly aware of what is required to perform at this level, and I know he’s excited to be returning to the A-League.”
Barbarouses will join Victory training next week.
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