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Western United has partnered with the Tasmanian Government and Football Tasmania to bring A-League football to Tasmania.
The expansion into Tasmania is a significant one, with the club excited to play two home game fixtures at York Park in Launceston during both the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 seasons.
“We are excited to make Tasmania green and black,” said Western United CEO Chris Pehlivanis.
“We were presented with an opportunity to work with the Tasmanian Government and Football Tasmania to not only showcase Western United’s brand of football but to bring the A-League to the state.”
The partnership will also include a women’s exhibition match between Calder United Soccer Club and a local Tasmanian representative team, as well as community football initiatives. The vision for 2022 includes a W-League fixture as part of a broader festival of football in the state.
Western United have parted ways with forward Apostolos Stamatelopoulos.
The 21-year-old played 12 A-League games for the Green and Black following a move from Adelaide United ahead of Western United's inaugural season.
Stamatelopoulos netted four goals in 15 matches for the Reds and lifted the FFA Cup in the City of Churches in 2018.
Western United released a statement, which said: “The Club thanks Apostolos for his contributions to Western United and wishes him all the best for the future.”
Western United host Perth Glory on Saturday evening with both teams aiming to get their A-League campaign up and running.
Mark Rudan's United lost to Melbourne City after their season-opening stalemate with Adelaide United.
The scalp of Perth would undoubtedly be a big boost for the Melbourne club, who posted a home draw against Glory in their second-ever A-League game last season, before beating the WA club 2-0 away.
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Jamie Maclaren struck a late winner as Melbourne City came from behind to beat Western United 2-1 in a pulsating derby encounter at AAMI Park on Saturday.
The Socceroo striker s 80th A-League goal arrived in the 84th minute after Craig Noone had earlier cancelled out Ivan Vujica s maiden strike in the competition.
The result means City maintain a perfect five from five record over United having beaten their city rivals four times last campaign.
Patrick Kisnorbo s side move into second position, level on points with Central Coast Mariners, who entertain Western Sydney Wanderers on Tuesday.
United await their first win of the campaign and play Perth Glory on January 23.
Four times Western United have tried, four times Melbourne City have walked away winners – but this newly-emerging Victorian feud will open a new chapter on Saturday.
It was City’s players left celebrating on the Bankwest Stadium pitch at the final whistle on August 26 as the Green and Black’s maiden season ended in Semi-Final heartache following a 2-0 loss.