Former Premier League striker, Rudy Gestede became Victory’s third overseas signing in November.
Brebner believes Gestede “ticked all the boxes” and will add another dimension to Victory’s attacking ranks.
The 32-year-old recently played for Middlesbrough in the English Championship and has also represented Cardiff City, Blackburn Rovers and Aston Villa.
Ryan Shotton
Last week Melbourne Victory concluded its pre-season business with the signing of Ryan Shotton.
The defender has played for several English clubs including Stoke City, Derby County and most recently, Middlesbrough – where he linked up with fellow newcomer, Gestede.
“While Ryan has made a career of playing in defence, given his height and strength in the air he can push forward for set pieces and is a real threat around goal,” said Brebner.
Shotton arrives at Victory with more than 300 games of experience in the Premier League and Championship.
The 32-year-old began his career at Stoke City and played for several clubs including Derby County, Birmingham City and most recently Middlesbrough.
His time at
Shotton said he was looking forward to joining Victory this season.
“I’m very pleased to have signed with Melbourne Victory. It’s a club which has been very successful, has a huge fan base and I can’t wait to get there,” Shotton said.
“After speaking with Grant Brebner, he outlined a very clear vision about the football he wants the team and myself to play, so that made the decision to come to Victory very easy.
Sunday, 13 December, 2020 - 10:30
Tony Pulis. (Getty Images) London - Ben Fisher
Perhaps it was inevitable the first goal of the Tony Pulis era at Sheffield Wednesday would stem from a superbly executed set piece. Adam Reach racing from back post to penalty spot to sidefoot home Barry Bannan’s corner may do little to enhance Brand Pulis but, then again, a manager pigeonholed as a firefighter has long given up trying to alter perceptions.
Between departing Middlesbrough 18 months ago and returning to the game to again succeed Garry Monk, this time at Hillsborough, a fortnight ago Pulis spent time swotting up on the Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton – “I don’t like fiction, I like reading proper history,” he says – and went to Corsica (to celebrate Napoleon’s 250th birthday), California and visited Rorke’s Drift in South Africa.