We’ve just ticked over into July and the countdown has begun for the start of new seasons for competitions all around the globe.
Most clubs are now back in pre-season training preparing for the new campaigns, with a host of Caltex Socceroos stars among them.
It’s a gruelling – but hugely important – time of the year for these players as they push themselves to their limits to get miles into the legs and ensure they are ready for the rigours of a full season.
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For Caltex Socceroos defender Aziz Behich – who was captain in June’s friendly against Korea Republic – the start of pre-season is about more than just putting in the hard yards.
The 28-year-old left-back also needs to get acquainted to new teammates after joining Turkish club İstanbul Başakşehir FK in May on a three-year deal.
Behich has returned to Turkey from Dutch club PSV, where his Caltex Socceroos teammate Trent Sainsbury remains.
Sainsbury and his teammates from the Eindhoven club have been hard at work on a pre-season camp in Verbier in Switzerland.
There is a spring in the step of attacker Brandon Borrello as he begun his pre-season campaign with SC Freiburg.
Borrello, who made his international debut in last month’s clash in Korea, missed the majority of last season with a knee injury but will be hoping to make a big impact in the Bundesliga in 2019/20 with a full pre-season under his belt.
After helping his club to the Belgian title last season, goalkeeper Danny Vukovic is back with Genk as they get ready for a big campaign which will include UEFA Champions League football.
Fellow gloveman Mat Ryan has returned to Brighton after spending some of his off-season break visiting his family and friends in Australia.
Check out what a few more of our Caltex Socceroos have been up to on their return to training with their respective clubs.
