After several months of discussions, South Melbourne FC would like to confirm that it has entered into a relationship with Yarraville Glory, with both clubs agreeing to a sister club relationship.

It’s an exciting development for both clubs and we are delighted to bring such a historic Victorian club into our extended family.

Apart from SMFC’s standard football programs in the National Premier League and soon to be launched all new National “B League” competitions, our club is amongst only a handful of Clubs across Australia that dedicates resources and invests significantly in the following programs:

• Inclusion & Diversity program
• All Abilities program
• Blind Football Team
• Powerchair / Wheelchair teams
• Girls & Women’s Football (both community & elite)
• Disabled Schools programs

Between these and our traditional football programs, we plan to support and add value to Yarraville through various initiatives such as:

• Coaching the Coaches
• Pathway programs
• Inter Club seminars
• Training guidance
• Technical development
• Assisting the growth of their women’s program
• Think Pink fundraising initiatives
• Administrative support & guidance
• Various other Club fundraising activities
• Multimedia, Digital and Media awareness.

We understand that with our vast resources and support YGFC will become a stronger, contemporary and diverse Club.

We are also offering each registered Yarraville player & member a complimentary season pass to attend our home matches in 2023 in the same manner as our own registered players.

SMFC is also exploring with YGFC & Maribyrnong Council, the potential of playing an NPL home and away match at McIvor Reserve during the FIFA Women’s World Cup period where Lakeside Stadium will be used as a training venue later in 2023.

Speaking to SMFC Media, SMFC President Nicholas Maikousis was excited by the newly formed relationship. “At South we are looking at ways of giving back to the community and are thrilled to link up with Yarraville. We have already hit the ground running on some of our initiatives and cannot wait to work with YGFC as the new year comes around.”

South Melbourne FC is thrilled to announce the signing of central defender Leia Varley, who returns to the club for the 2023 NPL Victoria season.

Many South fans will remember Leia breaking into the club’s first team at only 16 years of age during the 2018 season, before playing a key role in the club reaching the 2019 Semi Final.

Now at age 20, Leia provides coach George Georgiadis with a strong option in the heart of the South defence. Since her time at South, Leia has gained experience whilst playing in the W-League for Adelaide United and again was a standout for FV Emerging.

Speaking to SMFC Media, Football Director Theo Chronis was excited to welcome Leia to the club. “It’s great to have Leia return to a place that saw her commence her senior football journey. She has become an established defender who is incredibly tough at the contest. We look forward to her bringing those attributes to the club in 2023.”

Coach George Georgiadis was equally excited to welcome his new centre back. “She’s an outstanding and ball playing central defender who has experience at both national and state level. We’re pleased that she chose to return to Lakeside, a place where we think she can excel as a senior football player and become one of the premier defenders in the competition. We can’t wait to have her start with us.”

The club welcomes Leia back to her home at Lakeside and wishes her the best for the 2023 season.

South Melbourne FC is pleased to welcome Jack Painter-Andrews to Lakeside Stadium, with the right fullback signing with the club for the 2023 season.

The native Western Australian signs for us from fellow NPL club Bentleigh Greens after a tremendous season. As well as stamping himself as one of the toughest right sided defenders in the league, he often found himself in the forward half launching many attacks for the Greens whilst scoring on six occasions himself.

As well as a wingback, he can also play in any position across the park, including as a right winger, right-sided attacker and across the back due to his incredible versatility.

Prior to coming to Melbourne, he began his career in the NPL Western Australian competition, including a stint with our sister-club Floreat Athena and Perth Glory.

Speaking to SMFC Media, Senior Football Director Andrew Mesourouni was thrilled to have Jack at Lakeside. “Jack has had a fantastic breakout season with the Greens and established himself as a wonderful player and one of the more attacking fullbacks in the competition. With an ability to score himself or to turn provider he not only gives us a defensive option but another dangerous attacking player as well.”

We welcome Jack to the club and look forward to seeing him in our famous blue shirt.

South Melbourne FC can confirm the signing of attacking midfielder Dragana Kljajić for the 2023 NPLW Victoria season.

Kljajić is a highly skilled attacking midfielder who is calm with the ball at her feet and lethal when pressing forward. This includes both at playing a ball through to the strikers or taking it herself to score for her team.

Originally from South Australia, she’s regarded as one of the finest midfielders in the state and has contributed to the Championship winning sides of Salisbury Inter and West Adelaide Hellas in recent times. Her form also saw her signed by A-League Women’s Club Adelaide United.

Most recently, Kljajić joins us following a stint in Scotland where she was part of the most recent Motherwell squad.

South Melbourne Women’s Football Director Theo Chronis said “I’m excited to welcome Dragana to Melbourne and to our very own South Melbourne. We have seen and heard plenty about her ability, so we are thrilled to bring someone into our club who will automatically add experience and quality to the middle of the park.”

Senior Women’s coach George Georgiadis said “We have been watching Dragana for a little while now and we are excited to finally see her in our colours. She’s a tremendously talented footballer with an incredible football brain. Whether she is creating for our attacking players or opening space for herself to score, we are excited at what she will bring our club and the league. We cant wait to have her experience in the middle of the park in the 2023 season. ”

We can’t wait to see her on Lakeside Stadium in 2023!

South Melbourne FC is excited to announce that midfielder Danny Kim has signed for the club ahead of the 2023 season.

Kim joins us after a season with Bentleigh that saw the midfielder play an integral part in the Greens winning the Dockerty Cup and making the final stages of the NPL and Australia Cup competitions.

The former Australian Youth International has also spent time with Geylang as a professional in Singapore, whilst also having spells at Brisbane Roar in the A-League and Lions FC in Queensland.

Kim has the ability to play in central midfield but is also well known for his ability to sit just behind the strikers as an attacking midfielder also.

Speaking to SMFC Media, Football Director Andrew Mesourouni was pleased to welcome Danny to Lakeside. “Danny will bring experienced, hardworking and highly technical football. His experience in the centre of the park and ability to create and score is something we are excited to be adding to our lineup.

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We look forward to seeing Danny in Blue and White when pre-season commences in late November.