Risdon becomes Western Melbourne Group's first Australian player
Caltex Socceroos defender Josh Risdon has become Western Melbourne Group's second signing and first Australian player.
Risdon penned terms on a two-year deal ahead of the club's maiden Hyundai A-League 2019/20 campaign.
The 26-year-old right back of 170 Hyundai A-League appearances has also emerged as key player for the national team, shining on the FIFA World Cup stage in Russia 2018, and earning 14 caps in total for the Caltex Socceroos.
The Western Sydney Wanderers man is the second player to join the newly-formed outfit following the signature of Greece international Panagiotis Kone earlier this month.
“I’m absolutely stoked to be the first Australian player to join Western Melbourne," he told the club's website.
"With the signing of Panagiotis as the marquee, I can see the club has big ambitions both on the park and off it.
“With their own boutique stadium being built, which I think is a great idea, the club has an exciting future.
“I’m a hard worker who understands that the fans in the west of Melbourne want players who’ll give absolutely 100% for the shirt. I can’t wait to start doing that."
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Former Socceroo Steve Horvat and Western Melbourne Group's Football Director identified Risdon as an important leadership figure for the club's maiden Hyundai A-League season.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to bring Josh into the Western Melbourne family and we look to him being a leader and mentor to some of the younger players that will be joining the squad.
“Attracting a talented current Socceroo shows our ambition and our commitment to building a competitive squad from the first season that our fans can be proud of,” he told the club's official website.
“Josh is an attacking defender with a fantastic work ethic who we know our fans will love watching. He has an excellent character and we know he’ll fit in with our club very well on and off the park."
