Melbourne Victory continue to court Japanese star Keisuke Honda as they unveil two new signings.
Coach Kevin Muscat wants to bring in Honda on a possible marquee deal for 2018/19 as Victory defend their championship.
While that pursuit continues, the club have signed German defender Georg Niedermeier and brought back defender Nick Ansell.
Niedermeier has signed a one-year deal subject to a medal when the 32-year-old arrives in Melbourne next week.
Victory, who have seen Rhys Williams and James Donachie depart for Saudi Arabia and South Korea respectively, have so far signed four defenders for the new campaign.
Niedermeier has spent his whole career to date in Germany, playing for Freiburg in the past two seasons and previously making 182 appearances for Stuttgart.
Muscat said of the former Germany U-17 international: "Georg has great defensive qualities and will play an important role in leading our backline this season. His big-game experience in the Bundesliga, UEFA Champions League and Europa League will be extremely valuable."
Ansell came through Victory's youth academy and played 71 A-League games for the club before heading to Portugal last year where he linked up with Tondela.
The former Australia U-23 international helped Victory win the double of premiership and championship in 2014-15.
Muscat said of the defender: "Nick's obviously very familiar with the club so he'll slot back in seamlessly."
Muscat's side are now stepping up their interest in Honda, who played at the World Cup but announced his international retirement after Japan were knocked out.
In Russia, he became the first player for the Blue Samurai to score in three consecutive World Cups.
Melbourne Victory are 9/2 to win the 2019 Grand Final.
Victory are 17/10 to win their first game of the A-League season against Melbourne City, who are 7/5.
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Melbourne Victory continue to court Japanese star Keisuke Honda as they unveil two new signings.
Coach Kevin Muscat wants to bring in Honda on a possible marquee deal for 2018/19 as Victory defend their championship.
While that pursuit continues, the club have signed German defender Georg Niedermeier and brought back defender Nick Ansell.
Niedermeier has signed a one-year deal subject to a medal when the 32-year-old arrives in Melbourne next week.
Victory, who have seen Rhys Williams and James Donachie depart for Saudi Arabia and South Korea respectively, have so far signed four defenders for the new campaign.
Niedermeier has spent his whole career to date in Germany, playing for Freiburg in the past two seasons and previously making 182 appearances for Stuttgart.
Muscat said of the former Germany U-17 international: "Georg has great defensive qualities and will play an important role in leading our backline this season. His big-game experience in the Bundesliga, UEFA Champions League and Europa League will be extremely valuable."
Ansell came through Victory's youth academy and played 71 A-League games for the club before heading to Portugal last year where he linked up with Tondela.
The former Australia U-23 international helped Victory win the double of premiership and championship in 2014-15.
Muscat said of the defender: "Nick's obviously very familiar with the club so he'll slot back in seamlessly."
Muscat's side are now stepping up their interest in Honda, who played at the World Cup but announced his international retirement after Japan were knocked out.
In Russia, he became the first player for the Blue Samurai to score in three consecutive World Cups.
Melbourne Victory are 9/2 to win the 2019 Grand Final.
Victory are 17/10 to win their first game of the A-League season against Melbourne City, who are 7/5.
View all Soccer betting
Source: bet365.com