by John Fotinos
It’s a little more than 10 weeks since Heidelberg United’s last competitive fixture of 2025 – but Friday night at headquarters sees the kickoff of NPL2026 variety.
As the reigning champion, Heidelberg will want to carry on the momentum as well as its impressive home record, with a Round 1 encounter against rival Green Gully.
As is customary in football, there’s been player movement during the shortened offseason.
Departures
- Goal keeper Ryan Govan
- Jamal Ali,
- John Apostolopoulos
- Ajdin Fetahagic
- Delibor Markovic
- Cherif Mohamed Aidara
- Eoghan Stokes
- Bul Juach
Additions to Squad
- Goalkeeper Ashton Bonsall joins as understudy to Sozer, moving from Goulburn Valley Suns.
- Irishman Karl O’Sullivan looks set to take up the right back spot.
- Former Auckland City winger Joseph Lee has also signed on, adding more speed and versatility to the attack.
- Former St Albans and A-League defender Gideon Arok has joined the club after an overseas stint.
- Former Central Coast Mariners player Nicholas Duarte
Injury List
- Peter Klaassen
The off season signings join the club along with late 2025 signings Ciaran Bramwell, Akiel Raffie, Angus Taylor & Marcus Humbert, all who appeared in the NPL finals & Australian Championship Series.
Technical Director Nick Deligiannis was pleased with the prospects ahead of the season opener. “We’ve got together a squad very capable of a strong showing this season. There’s some exciting and strong players who will drive this team forward after such a successful season. The hunger is there for more honours in 2026. As the reigning champion, we’re aware that we need to step it up another level.”
Despite the loss of prolific goal scorer Bul Juach, the squad is more than able to produce another run of exciting football. Deligiannis added: “It’s quite a young squad, with an average age under 23, but there’s lots of experience in terms of performance at a high level.” So, the title defence begins in earnest at the Olympic Village this Friday (February 23) at 7:30pm versus Green Gully.
