Latest news with #JohnnyWarrenMedal
Press and Journal
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
EXCLUSIVE: More Australian signing gems can be sourced by Aberdeen, says ex Don Gavin Rae
Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin can land further signing gems in the Australian transfer market, insists former Don Gavin Rae. Four signings have already been secured by Thelin so far during the close season – with three of the new additions coming from a land Down Under. Rae spent 10 years managing in Australia and insists the country is rich in footballing talent capable of making a major impact in Scotland. Winger Nicolas Milanovic is the only signing sourced by Aberdeen directly from Australia, having been secured from A-League Western Sydney Wanderers. Aberdeen secured recently crowned A-League Player of the Year Milanovic for a transfer fee of around £400,000. Australia international striker Kusini Yengi will join the Dons on a free following the expiration of his contract at Championship Portsmouth. Yengi been capped 11 times for Australia, scoring six times for his country. Former Australian under-23 international keeper Nick Suman will also join the Reds following the end of his Cove Rangers deal. Milanovic, Yengi and Suman have ALL previously played for Australian top-flight club Western Sydney Wanderers. Rae said: 'I watched a lot of the A-League when I was in Australia. 'The Australian market is getting tapped into more and more by clubs in the United Kingdom. 'It is definitely a market Aberdeen should continue to use. 'There are players from Australia all over Europe now and plenty in the UK. 'Australian players can definitely do a job in Scotland and I'm sure we will see more of them coming across in the future.' Keeper Suman will move to Aberdeen having spent the previous two seasons in the Granite City with Cove. Likewise, striker Yengi has adapted to the British game, and climate, after two campaigns at Portsmouth. Only Milanovic will be jetting into the Granite City from Down Under to join the Dons. Within days of agreeing a pre-contract with Aberdeen, the highly-rated winger received a debut call-up to the Australia international squad. Milanovic was named in a squad for a training camp in Abu Dhabi last month. The 23-year-old recently received the Johnny Warren Medal, for the best player in the Australian A-League. Milanovic pitched in with 12 goals and six assists in 25 league matches. Australia recently secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup finals – and making the squad for next summer will be a target for Aberdeen's new signings. Rae, who managed in the Australian North Premier League, said: 'Milanovic is a really good signing for Aberdeen. 'He's a talented player who can come in off the wing and score goals. 'Milanovic had a great season with Western Sydney Wanderers and definitely has the ability to make an impact in Scotland. 'The call-up to the Australian squad was just reward after winning player of the year. 'There's obviously going to be a period of getting acclimatised for Milanovic as it is a different game in Scotland. 'It is a lot more blood and thunder in Scotland than Australia. 'With Australia being so hot, it can be a slower game at times – although they are very physically fit. 'So, I don't think there will be any issue there with Milanovic. 'It will be more about just getting used to the speed of the game in Scotland. 'As soon as he does that, he will do well for Aberdeen. 'He will score goals.' Capped 14 times by Scotland, Rae managed Hakoah Sydney City East and Rydalmere Lions during his time in Australia. The former Dons, Rangers, Cardiff City and Dundee midfielder is back in the UK and based in Manchester. Rae, 47, played for home city club Aberdeen from 2012-13. He reckons winning the Scottish Cup will help Aberdeen boss Thelin land more summer transfer targets. The trophy success secured guaranteed European group stage action for Aberdeen in the upcoming campaign. Thelin and his recruitment team are in advanced talks with more transfer targets. Rae said: 'Guaranteed European group stage football is huge when Aberdeen are trying to attract players to sign. 'There's that lure of the group stages until at least mid-December which is an amazing opportunity and a real lure for signing targets. 'Winning a Scottish Cup after such a long time is massive for Aberdeen. 'I was at Hampden with my family when they last won the Scottish Cup in 1990. 'To see them do it again and win a first trophy since 2014 was huge. 'Winning the Scottish Cup will hopefully lead to Aberdeen kicking on even more next season. 'Having a strong Aberdeen football club is massive for the city. 'When the team does well and is strong, it is reflected in the atmosphere in the city and the businesses there – and long may it continue.'
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Another Wanderer heading to Scotland
Zac Sapsford is set to go head-to-head with his former Western Sydney Wanderers teammate Nicolas Milanovic in the Scottish Premiership after joining Dundee United. Sapsford has signed a three-year deal with the Tangerines for an undisclosed transfer fee. The 22-year-old attacking weapon scored nine goals in 26 A-League appearances for the Wanderers last season, and was part of impressive forward line that also included Johnny Warren Medal winner Milanovic, who joined Aberdeen last month for a deal that landed Western Sydney a club-record transfer off about $800,000. Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin said the acquisition of Sapsford was a 'terrific piece of business' for the Tangerines. 'He's a dynamic forward with a killer instinct in the final third off both feet or with his head, and also has the awareness to intelligently bring his teammates into play,' Goodwin said. 'We feel he's someone that will get our supporters out of their seats and we can rely on in big moments given his mentality and track record in those situations. 'Zac immediately bought into our vision for him and his development. I'm looking forward to closely monitoring his progression during his time in tangerine.'Meanwhile, teenage Sydney FC midfielder Wataru Kamijo has signed a new four-year deal with the Sky Blues. 'This club has given me my opportunity and I feel like I'm in the right place to grow and develop into a first-class midfielder,' Kamijo said.
Press and Journal
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Josh Nisbet activates relegation clause to depart Ross County
Josh Nisbet has become the latest player to depart Ross County following their relegation to the Championship. Australian midfielder Nisbet joined the Staggies last summer on a three-year deal from Central Coast Mariners – but has opted to activate a relegation clause in his contract which sees him move on after only 12 months. Nisbet arrived in Scotland with a rich pedigree, having helped Mariners to a treble winning season in which he was awarded the Johnny Warren Medal as the best A-League player that campaign. The diminutive 5ft 3in midfielder, who has three Australia caps, made 29 starts for the Staggies and 10 substitute appearances. He netted four goals for County – with the last of those coming in his final appearance in the play-off second leg defeat to Livingston which ultimately relegated the Dingwall side. After leaving Victoria Park, Nisbet is now free to make the switch to another club. Nibset joins Scott Allardice, James Brown, Ryan Leak, Alex Samuel and Logan Ross, who have all left the Staggies in recent days.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Incoming Aberdeen winger wins historic A-League prize
Incoming Aberdeen winger Nicolas Milanovic has won A-League player of the year following an impressive season with Western Sydney Wanderers. The 23-year-old, who scored 12 goals and provided six assists, became the first Wanderers player to win the award, known as the the Johnny Warren Medal. Milanovic will join the Scottish Cup winners on a three-year deal, with a club option for a fourth year, when the summer transfer window opens. Wanderers chief executive Scott Hudson accepted the prize on the forward's behalf and heaped praise on the Australian. "We're so proud of what he's achieved in the past couple of years," Hudson said. "We're really glad we could play a part in his career, and we wish him all the best overseas."
BBC News
27-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Incoming Aberdeen winger wins historic A-League prize
Incoming Aberdeen winger Nicolas Milanovic has won A-League player of the year following an impressive season with Western Sydney Wanderers. The 23-year-old, who scored 12 goals and provided six assists, became the first Wanderers player to win the award, known as the the Johnny Warren will join the Scottish Cup winners on a three-year deal, with a club option for a fourth year, when the summer transfer window chief executive Scott Hudson accepted the prize on the forward's behalf and heaped praise on the Australian."We're so proud of what he's achieved in the past couple of years," Hudson said."We're really glad we could play a part in his career, and we wish him all the best overseas."
