Victory sign Young Socceroos captain
28/08/2007 4:37 PM
Young Socceroos captain Sebastian Ryall has joined reigning Hyundai A-League champions Melbourne on a two-year deal.
The promising teenage defender committed to Victory on Tuesday.
He comes from the Australian Institute of Sport and has led the Young Socceroos to recent wins over Korea Republic, Iran and Uzbekistan at the Weifang Cup.
Ryall, 18, also represented Australia at the under-23 level in an international against China earlier in 2007.
Melbourne coach Ernie Merrick said the club had kept a close eye on Ryall's progress over the past 12 months.
"We like his leadership skills, he's physically well built and he's technically a very gifted young player who has been a performer for the AIS and the Qantas Young Socceroos," Merrick said.
"He recently played in a tournament in China for the Australian under-20 team and he was one of the only players to play four full games in the heat and humidity. That's the type of toughness that we like."
"He's the type of character that we try to attract. He's always performed above his age group."
Sydney-born Ryall's new team-mates will train on Wednesday ahead of the club's first home game of the season on Saturday.
Victory face Perth Glory at Telstra Dome, its first match at the stadium since the stunning grand final triumph against Adelaide United in February.