On the eve of its debut in NPL 2 Victoria, Western United can confirm its Senior Academy squad for the 2023 season.
The overall list of 34 players between the two squads is complemented by nine contracted members of the Isuzu UTE A-League Men squad, including Academy regulars from last season in Ajak Deu and Jake Najdovski.
Western United Academy Director Anthony Frost the crop of talent at the Club is ready to display its collective quality on the pitch throughout the season.
“We’re extremely excited to be starting a new season in a new league after securing promotion last year. The players and staff have been working incredibly hard to improve both individually and collectively, raising the standard of the program yet again,” he said.
“I’ve got full faith that we’re going to see some fantastic football and the platform for our young players to show their qualities.”
Not only will the players hope to establish themselves in NPL 2 across Under 23’s and Under 21’s competitions, they will also be looking to continue their development and earn opportunities in John Aloisi’s Isuzu UTE A-League squad.
Frost said he is confident that the players will be able to continue the early success of Western United’s Academy’s in promoting youth players onto professional contracts.
“As we’ve seen from previous seasons, players have been rewarded with 1st team involvement due to the consistency and quality of their performances in the NPL competition, and expect this season to follow suit,” he said.
“I’m sure the boys will enjoy having the support of everyone involved at the club and put their best foot forward at home this weekend against Eastern Lions.”
A number of stars from the Academy have returned for the 2023 season with the likes of Noah Holmes, Jordan Lauton, Oliver Lavale and Thomas Alisandratos all remaining in the squad.
The squad also features a plethora of players that have represented their countries at youth level. Michael Vonja and Mayen Mayen are currently on international duty, while Charbel Shamoon will head to the AFC U20 Asian Cup with Iraq next month.
United’s season in NPL 2 Victoria kicks off on Sunday at home against Eastern Lions, with the Green and Black hoping to set the season up for success.
Full Western United Senior Academy squad list
| Ryan | Mudaliar |
| Thomas | Alisandratos |
| Adisu | Bayew |
| Max | Bissetto |
| Noah | Botic |
| Rhys | Bozinovski |
| Lucas | Byrns |
| Jae | Ciarma |
| Ben | Collins |
| Luka | Coveny |
| Ajak | Deu |
| Josh | Divin |
| Adam | El Hayek |
| Obiora | Eze |
| Gus | Greer |
| Matthew | Grimaldi |
| Rashid | Hayek |
| Alex | Hird |
| Noah | Holmes |
| Ahmed | Iedom |
| Khoder | Kaddour |
| Zac | Kocankovski |
| Jordan | Lauton |
| Oli | Lavale |
| Vas | Lekic |
| Sebastian | Lo Monaco |
| Giacomo | Luna |
| Mayen | Mayen |
| Ryan | Mudaliar |
| Ramy | Najjarine |
| Jake | Najdovski |
| Yani | Nassis |
| Yianni | Panakos |
| Dylan | Pierias |
| Michael | Ruhs |
| Charbel | Shamoon |
| Greg | Siamoa |
| Lucas | Trenkovski |
| Luke | Vickery |
| Michael | Vonja |
| Abel | Walatee |
| Parker | Williams |
| James | York |
