A-League: Roar showing interest in Bovalina and Mileusnic
Brisbane Roar have expressed an interest in bringing former Adelaide United defender Giuseppe Bovalina back to the A-League, and also haven't ruled out convincing winger Nikola Mileusnic to rejoin the club.
Roar insiders have confirmed that both Bovalina and Mileusnic are in the club's sights.
Bovalina, 20, joined Major League Soccer Club Vancouver Whitecaps in April last year from the Reds on an initial contract that will expire in 2026.
However, Bovalina is struggling for game time, and could be tempted to kickstart his career at the Roar under the club's new coach, former Adelaide captain Michael Valkanis.
Another former Red in Mileusnic left the Roar after three seasons to join Perth Glory last year.
His Glory contract expires this month, and having started in only nine A-League games for Perth in the club's dismal 2024-25 campaign, a return to Brisbane could very well be on the cards for the 31-year-old attacking weapon, particularly with Valkanis having replaced Ruben Zadkovich as coach.
Nikola Mileusnic could be on his way back to Brisbane Roar. Picture:Meanwhile, former Roar playmaker Keegan Jelacic has signed a two-year deal with Melbourne Victory.
Jelacic, 22, left the Roar last month after joining the club on loan from Belgian outfit Gent in January last year.
The Australian under-23 international has now parted ways with Gent permanently to link with the Victory, who have lost the past two A-League grand finals.
'Joining one of the biggest clubs in the league is always an exciting prospect,' Jelacic said.
'I'm looking forward to experiencing the passion of the club and doing my part on the pitch.'
Victory coach Arthur Diles said Jelacic was an 'example of outstanding young Australian talent with valuable experience both locally and internationally'.
'Keegan's arrival at the club ahead of our 2025-26 campaign will bolster our midfield as we aim to go one better than we did last season,' Diles said.
'We have a strong foundation to build on, and we're looking forward to seeing Keegan bring his best to the team and contribute to our success.'
Read related topics: Adelaide
Marco Monteverde
Sports reporter
Marco Monteverde is a Brisbane-based sports reporter for NCA Newswire. He worked in a similar role for The Courier-Mail from 2007 to 2020. During a journalism career of more than 25 years, he has also worked for The Queensland Times, The Sunshine Coast Daily, The Fraser Coast Chronicle and The North West Star. He has covered three FIFA World Cups and the 2000 Sydney Olympics, as well as a host of other major sporting events in Australia and around the world.
@marcothejourno
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