Adelaide United
INS – Jordy Thomassen (De Graafschap)
OUTS – Taylor Regan (Selangor)
VERDICT –
After months of pain and frustration, Adelaide United have answered the prayers of fans and signed a striker for the remainder of the season.
Jordy Thomassen, on loan from Dutch club De Graafschap, hopes to be the solution to Adelaide’s problems as injury plagued seasons to George Blackwood and Baba Diawarra has seen the Reds often field a line-up without a recognised striker.
At 25, Thomassen’s best football is ahead of him and could be a significant contributor for the Reds in this second half of the season.
Brisbane Roar
INS – Charles Lokoli-Ngoy (Free agent)
OUTS – Avraam Papadopoulos
VERDICT –
Avraam Papadopoulos left the club after signing as an injury replacement player back in February 2017.
Since then, the former Greek international made 31 appearances and scored four goals.
His departure opens the door for youth to filter through into the first team, with Brisbane reportedly set to sign former Western Sydney Wanderers defender Ruon Tongyik.
The Roar made an eleventh-hour swoop for Charles Lokoli-Ngoywho was released by Sydney FC on transfer deadline day.
The acquisition of both Lokoli-Ngoy and Tongyik perhaps hinting at a new direction for the club, who over the last few seasons have been known sign older players.
Central Coast Mariners
INS – Jem Karacan (Milwall), Sam Graham (Sheffield United – loan), Stephen Mallon (Sheffield United – loan)
OUTS – Kalifa Cisse (retired), Antony Golec (Wellington Phoenix), Ross McCormack (Aston Villa)
VERDICT –
Mike Mulvey promised new signings and he delivered.
The Mariners were one of the more active teams this transfer period, making three new additions to their squad.
Former Reading captain Jem Karacan will give the side much needed stability and experience in midfield, while the duo of Sam Graham and Stephen Mallon will add plenty of excitement.
Both the Sheffield United youth products will be looking to get as many minutes as possible and the Mariners might just be the perfect place to develop their careers further.
Melbourne City
INS – Jamie Maclaren ( SV Darmstadt 98)
OUTS – Anthony Caceres (Sydney FC – loan), Anthony Lesiotis (Melbourne Victory), Michael O’Halloran (released),
VERDICT –
After plenty of nervous waiting, Melbourne City have finalised an agreement which will see Jamie Maclaren don the City blue until 2023.
The deal may have been finalised after the deadline, with City exploiting a loophole in the system, but Maclaren is officially a City player in what is the biggest move of the window in the A-League.
Maclaren will be expected to lead the lines for years to come following Bruno Fornaroli’s likely departure at the end of the season.
Meanwhile, the club did lose midfielder Anthony Caceres who was recruited by Sydney FC after his loan ended at Melbourne City.
Melbourne Victory
INS – Anthony Lesiotis (Melbourne City), James Donachie (Jeonnam Dragons – loan), Elvis Kamsoba (Avondale)
OUTS – Nick Ansell (Jeonnam Dragons)
Verdict –
In a smart bit of business, Melbourne Victory welcome back defender James Donachie who will be expected to slot in at centre back as soon as possible. Donachie returns to Victory on loan until the end of the season after making 47 appearances in his first stint at the club, which saw him lift silverware last season.
In the move, the club lose Nick Ansell who has since signed for Jeonnam as a free agent after 94 appearances for the club.
Newcastle Jets –
INS – Matt Millar (Central Coast Mariners – next season)
OUTS – Mitch Austin (Sydney FC)
VERDICT –
The Jets may have had a quiet January but it was not without controversy.
Former NPL product Matt Millar, who is currently contracted at the Mariners, was reportedly asked to leave the training track after the club had found out he had signed a deal with the Newcastle Jets.
Millar will join the Jets next season with the deal not going down well with the Mariners and reportedly being looked into by the PFA.
Perth Glory –
INS – Nil
OUTS – Nil
Verdict –
A quiet transfer period for the Glory who certainly splashed the cash in the off-season with a number of big signings.
Though the Glory did not go without leaving their mark, reportedly signing banished Melbourne City striker Bruno Fornaroli for next season as a marquee.
Sydney FC
INS – Reza Ghoochannejhad (APOEL – loan), Mitch Austin (Newcastle Jets), Anthony Caceres (loan)
OUTS – Charles Lokoli-Ngoy (Newcastle Jets)
VERDICT –
Sydney FC have sent an ominous warning to their rivals in signing former Iran international Reza Ghoochannejhad, who scored 17 goals in 44 appearances for his country.
The 31-year-old signs on loan from Cypriot side APOEL and his arrival could not have come at a better time.
In other attacking moves, the Sky Blues signed former Melbourne Victory and Newcastle Jets winger Mitch Austin who will provide plenty of pace, in addition to Anthony Caceres who adds to the side’s midfield depth.
Wellington Phoenix
INS – Antony Golec (Central Coast Mariners), Justin Gulley (Team Wellington) Cillian Sheridan (Jagiellonia Bialystok)
OUTS – Mitch Nichols, Reuben Way
VERDICT –
Like the Glory, Wellington Phoenix had a quieter January than most after a busy off-season. The club let go of Mitch Nichols and Reuben Way and brought in the pair of Anthony Golec and Justin Gulley.
Golec joins the Phoenix in search of a fresh start, while Gulley joins the Phoenix for the second time in his career after making eight appearances in his first stint for the club.
Gulley recently played for Team Wellington at the FIFA Club World Cup and has represented the New Zealand national team.
Western Sydney Wanderers
INS – Mitchell Duke (Shimizu S-Pulse), Kwame Yeboah (Fortuna Köln)
OUTS – Ruon Tongyik
VERDICT –
The Western Sydney Wanderers have recruited hometown hero Mitchell Duke, who returns to the A-League after over 100 appearances for Japanese side Shimizu S-Pulse.
Duke will provide plenty of firepower for the Wanderers up front and comes to the A-League on the back of some form after being selected in Graham Arnold’s 30 man squad for the Asian Cup.
The former Mariners striker will link up with Kwame Yeboah who has started with a bang since joining the Wanderers at the end of December, having already scored twice in his first four appearances.
