The A-League Men's transfer window has slammed shut and, although clubs can still sign free agents, that means most of the rumour, conjecture, and silliness of the window will subside until it opens up for another month on Jan. 16.
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Inevitably, the arrival of Douglas Costa at Sydney FC and Juan Mata's move to the Western Sydney Wanderers have been the biggest stories by far, especially given that the broader trends of frugality across the Australian top flight. However, with parity built into the salary-capped A-League model, each offseason offers clubs a chance to hope for a rapid turnaround and the prospect of silverware in the months ahead.
With that in mind, ESPN has taken a look at each team's key recruit ahead of the new season, their biggest loss over the previous window, and a signing that carries with it a wealth of narrative heading into the 2024-25 A-League campaign which begins on Oct. 18.
New faces in the A-League: Hiroki Sakai, Juan Mata, Douglas Costa and Rafael Struick. ESPN
Adelaide United
Best signing: Bart Vriends, 33, from Sparta Rotterdam
For years and years, Adelaide's defence has weighed down their aspirations -- they were one of only two sides last year season to score more than 50 goals, but somehow conspired to concede even more -- and while one player does not a defensive reformation make, the hope will be that the veteran Dutchman can help to turn the tide.
A stalwart of the Eredivisie, the 33-year-old's spurning of interest from Saudi Arabia to sign in Adelaide can probably be tied to the arrival of former Netherlands international Ernest Faber as technical director -- Faber's arrival, in turn, able to be linked to the Reds' new partnership with PSV Eindhoven -- and, having started 25 games in the Dutch top flight last season for a Sparta Rotterdam side that finished in its top half, Vriends should be able to play at a good level in the A-League. That's assuming he can make the adjustment to the heat and hard pitches and stay on the park, of course. Given the depth concerns that exist in defence for Adelaide, a lot is riding on that qualifier.
Biggest loss: Nestory Irankunda, 18, to Bayern Munich
While his move to Munich meant that the Reds were able to cash in on their starboy, Irankunda's departure still leaves an explosive void in their attack and the A-League without its most exciting player. Even with the rawness and inconsistency associated with Irankunda's game -- it's remarkable the strides he's already taken at Bayern -- the teenager was a player capable of single-handedly winning matches for Adelaide with his intent and dynamism. The talent coming out of South Australia is impressive -- Amlani Tatu is one to watch -- but it's doubtful we'll be seeing someone of Irankunda's prodigiousness emerge anytime soon.
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One to watch: Archie Goodwin, 19, from Newcastle Jets
At the same time Irankunda was breaking out at Hindmarsh, hopes in Newcastle were that Goodwin was set to become the next big thing at McDonald Jones Stadium. Alas for Goodwin and the Jets' faithful he was never able to put things together during his time there, with injuries playing a significant role in keeping him off the pitch for extended periods and denying him the consistent football he needed to kick on. One has to wonder if the Jets' backroom staff weren't so significantly under-resourced amidst protracted ownership chaos if that could have been avoided. Regardless, Goodwin is now a Red and, at just 19, still has plenty of time to establish himself at a club where he should get opportunities ... if he can stay on the pitch.
Auckland FC
Best signing: Hiroki Sakai, 34, from Urawa Red Diamonds
It's not hyperbole to suggest that Sakai is one of the best-credentialled players that the A-League has ever had; a veteran of more than 100 games in Ligue 1, nearly 100 games in the Bundesliga, a J1 League champion, an Asian Champions League winner, and a veteran of 74 appearances for Japan -- including their run to the knockout stages of the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the final of the 2019 Asian Cup.
Yes, age will have wearied the 34-year-old defender's legs and given that he's a as he's right-back as opposed to a more attacking position, his appeal may not be widespread, but he should be a difference maker. With an expansion franchise, however, perhaps just as important as the impact a veteran like Sakai can have on the field is the legacy they leave off it. Coming into their first season, Auckland are essentially a raw piece of clay and while it will fall upon foundation coach Steve Corica to establish a foundation of style, it is leaders like Sakai -- who was recently captain of Urawa Red Diamonds -- that will play a large role in establishing the early dynamics and standards in the dressing room and on the training track, be it leading from the front or just by example.
One to watch: Alex Paulsen, 22, from AFC Bournemouth
Paulsen put together one of the best seasons a goalkeeper has ever had in the A-League as he helped Wellington to a second-place finish in 2023-24, earning himself a move to Premier League side Bournemouth in the process. But now he's back in the A-League, on loan at the Cherries' fellow Black Knight Football Club group in Auckland and serving as the face of the reason the A-League decided to dump the "Caceres Clause." Obviously, there's a clear narrative associated with his shift across the divide of the newly formed tauwhÄinga with Wellington, but it will also bear watching to see if he can back up such a historic season on the other side of the North Island. Does Paulsen kick on and become even more of an impenetrable force? Or behind a new backline, under a new coaching staff, and in a new location, is there some kind of regression to the mean?
Brisbane Roar
Best signing: Rafael Struick, 21, from ADO Den Haag
Struick's arrival at the Roar feels like the type of signing that cash-strapped A-League clubs will increasingly be looking at in the years ahead, with good reason. Able to play in a central attacking role or on the wing -- which means he shouldn't block the progression of Roar prodigy Tom Waddingham -- the 21-year-old wasn't getting a look in at senior level after coming up through the ranks of Dutch side ADO Den Haag. Further, already capped 15 times for Indonesia at a senior level -- most recently against Australia in World Cup qualifying -- Struick should supplement these opportunities in the A-League with international minutes against the likes of Japan and Saudi Arabia, which will further aid his development. Thus, not only do the Roar get a player with a potential high-upside for them on the park but also one that's young enough to attract decent on-sale value should he impress.
Biggest loss: Kai Trewin, 23, to Melbourne City
Melbourne City don't tend to miss when they're poaching rivals' young talents, and the move down to Victoria looks like it just might be the latest example of this phenomenon. Already established as an Olyroo, Trewin had entrenched himself as an ever-present figure in the Roar defence as far back as the 2020-21 season -- at 23 years old he's already got 94 A-League starts under his belt -- and while Brisbane hasn't been much to write home about during that stretch, his continued development suggests a Socceroos-level ceiling. Having signed a two-year deal at Casey Fields, Trewin could attract a transfer fee sooner rather than later, too, so to lose him on a free will sting for the Roar.
One to watch: Hosine Bility, 23, from Mafra
If you've been following Australia's junior national teams for any serious length of time, then the Bility name should be a familiar one, given his call-ups for the Olyroos. But toiling away as he has been across Denmark, Iceland, and Portugal -- almost exclusively in youth sides -- very few would be all that familiar with his game beyond a general summary provided by Wyscout or similar. This makes his presence in this year's Roar side -- on loan from Liga Portugal 2 side Mafra -- such an intriguing one. Can he validate the faith placed in him by the national setup by seizing the opportunity, playing regular football and establishing himself as an upper-echelon defender in the A-League?
Central Coast Mariners
Best signing: Vitor Feijão, 28, from Caxias
Once again, the Mariners have been picked apart during the offseason and now face the task of somehow staying competitive in a year in which they'll have to juggle domestic duties with competing in the Asian Champions League Elite. The return of favourite son Trent Sainsbury to skipper the side and partner Brian Kaltak in defence is big, but if Mark Jackson's side is going to keep challenging for silverware, then the signing of 28-year-old Feijão needs to be another one of those very Mariner signings that have worked out as of late. Last on the books of Caxias in the Brazilian Série C and able to play on either wing or in a central role, the attacker's most prolific season came back when he had 10 goal involvements with Albanian top-flight side FK Kukësi in 2021-22. His arrival, however, carries the air of signings that have worked for the Mariners in years past; lesser heralded internationals that discover something in the water in Gosford and prove difference makers. Starting for them in the Asian Champions League Elite on Tuesday was a positive beginning.
Vitor Feijão made his debut for the Mariners in their 3-1 loss to Shandong Taishan on Tuesday. Cheng Shuangshi/VCG via Getty ImagesBiggest loss: Josh Nisbet, 25, to Ross County
Another one that should be pretty obvious. Max Balard, Dan Hall, and Jacob Farrell have also departed Gosford this offseason and will leave significant voids to fill, but the reigning Johnny Warren Medalist's exit from the club carries its own level of feeling beyond just the on-field aspects -- which themselves are pretty significant given that he led the league in assists last year. The rise of Nisbet from unwanted and dismissed elsewhere, who was part of the club when it was finishing last and serving as the vessel for a Usain Bolt-shaped sideshow, to being named the league's best player in a treble-winning season for the Mariners almost perfectly encapsulated what made the club's run of form across the past few years so special. Now, regardless of how well they navigate the challenge of yet another rebuild this coming season, Nisbet's exit almost feels like the end of an era.
One to watch: Adam PavleÅ¡iÄ, 22, from Sydney FC
With the retirement of Danny Vukovic there's a void between the posts for the Mariners and, based on (limited) preseason hitouts in the Australia Cup and the Champions League, it seems that the newly signed PavleÅ¡iÄ will receive the first opportunity at filling it, with another highly rated youngster in Jack Warshawsky waiting in the wings. Brought in from Sydney FC -- the Mariners previously signed his younger brother Anthony from the Wanderers before flipping him to Bayern Munich -- the 22-year-old custodian has limited experience at a senior level, but possesses potential. With Mark Birighitti still a free agent, there remains a chance that the Mariners could make a change before the season starts but, for now, it appears as though they'll put their faith in youth in goal for the season ahead. How that youth performs -- be it PavleÅ¡iÄ or Warshawsky -- could play a major part in defining the defending champions' season.
Macarthur FC
Best signing: Harrison Sawyer, 27, from South Melbourne
One of two Deadline Day deals announced by the Bulls, Sawyer has been grafting away for years after a brief 2017 stint with the Jets and, finally, is getting another look in at A-League level. Prolific for South Melbourne in the NPLM Victoria he should be able to work in tandem with Valère Germain and try to help fill the attacking void left by the glut of departures from Campbelltown. His height is an obvious weapon and the likes of Marin Jakoliš will enjoy looking to find him in the box -- Hellas largely built their attack around his ability to be a target for set pieces and throw-ins hurled into the penalty area in recent years -- but Sawyer is also a tireless runner that will press and drop to try and defend and facilitate play. Given that he'd already agreed to terms with the Bulls before he flew back to Melbourne and played 120 minutes in challenging conditions to help South beat Hume in the Australia Cup, his hunger and desire can't be questioned, either.
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Biggest loss: Ulises Dávila, 33, released
Beloved by the fanbase and serving as their talisman as they looked to establish an identity and tradition in Campbelltown, the nature of Dávila's exit from the Bulls -- implicated as the ringleader in a spot-fixing scandal -- will have an impact that stretches far beyond the pitch. On it, however, the absence that their former skipper will be a major one for Mile Sterjovski's unit, with the former Mexico youth international serving as a key creative outlet and attacking force for the side ever since he joined from Wellington.
One to watch: Luke Brattan, 34, from Sydney FC
Given the upheaval that has taken place at the Bulls this offseason -- Kearyn Baccus and Clayton Lewis were also caught up in the spot-fixing scandal -- Brattan's arrival in the heart of the midfield is probably just as much about bringing stability and leadership as it is his on-field application. Inevitably, age is slowing the 34-year-old but, having played every minute of every game so far in the Bulls' run to the semifinals of the Australia Cup, it's clear he's going to have a role to play in Sterjovski's plans.
Melbourne City
Best signing: Nathaniel Atkinson, 25, from Hearts
Frozen out at Hearts during what are ostensibly his prime years, Atkinson desperately needed a move and, with the A-League window extending to Sept. 16, his Deadline Day transfer back to City offers a win-win scenario for both. The Tasmanian will likely get what he needs more than anything else for his career right now -- regular football -- and given that a return to the A-League didn't stop Aziz Behich on the other flank from still getting call-ups, it doesn't have to hurt his Socceroos aspirations. City, meanwhile, brings back an academy graduate and former Grand Final hero at a good age, who should perform at a league-leading level. Beyond that, Atkinson is arriving on a three-year deal, one that should ostensibly allow City to cash in on him if he rediscovers the form that saw him start at the 2022 World Cup.