Monday, 15 July 2013 6:52 PM
South Melbourne FC is pleased to announce the signings of Bryan Bran and Tim Mala. Both players arrive at Lakeside Stadium from Dandenong Thunder and join Iqi Jawadi and Nick Epifano as players to join the Club from George Andrews Reserve during the transfer window.
Bryan Bran is a centre-back and arrives at an important time with South’s defensive stocks currently limited due to injuries. It is expected that he will line up alongside either Shaun Kelly (if he overcomes his hamstring injury) or James Karvelis at centre-back for the Bentleigh Greens game this Sunday. Bran was probably the man of the match earlier this season on 27 April when Dandenong defeated South 3-0 at George Andrews Reserve, winning everything in the air and causing the South defence plenty of problems from set pieces with his booming right-footed strikes.
Tim Mala will add some much-needed cover in the right-back position. Tom Matthews previously held the position before departing the Club and whilst Dimi Hatzimouratis has done a decent job at right-back this season, he adds more value to the side further up the park in an attacking role. Mala’s arrival at Lakeside Stadium allows Chris Taylor to use Hatzimouratis as another attacking option.
Both players were part of Taylor ’s Championship winning Dandenong side in 2012, playing in the 2-1 Grand Final win against the Oakleigh Cannons as well as the State Knockout Cup penalty shoot-out victory against Port Melbourne.
South Melbourne FC welcomes Bryan Bran and Tim Mala to the Club and wishes them the best for the remainder of the season.