South Melbourne FC is pleased to confirm that former SMFC Championship Winner Chris Irwin will return to the club for the 2020 season.
Irwin returns to the club where he played a large portion of his junior football, spending three seasons with the club in his youth career before re-joining the club from Avondale as a 20-year-old in 2015.
In his 18 month as part of the senior team in 2015 and 2016, South fans would remember Irwin for his natural flair and pace with an ability to pass defenders with ease. He had an important 2016 finals series, coming off the bench in both the Semi Final win over Heidelberg and Grand Final with Oakleigh to have an impact in our two biggest wins of the season.
While at Kingston, he has further enhanced his game to be comfortable in any position across the attacking third, including just behind the strikers and in his natural spot as a winger. It was with such form that he was awarded the 2019 Best and Fairest at Kingston.
Speaking to smfc.com.au, Senior Football Director Andrew Mesourouni was excited to welcome back Irwin. “We know exactly what we are getting with Chris, a fast attacking player but also a fantastic person and leader that we will have around the club. Since leaving the club in 2017, he has further enhanced his game at Kingston and with the squad taking shape we are pleased to add someone with the quality, experience and drive to our group.”
Irwin was overjoyed to be returning back to a place that was so familiar to him. “It’s great to be returning to a place that I have spent so much of my football career at to date. Not only do I have fond memories of being part of the 2016 championship win, but I remember playing for many years as a junior and being a fan of the club. It’s a very exciting period and the squad is looking strong, so I cannot wait to be a part of it as we aim for a trophy winning season.”
We wish Chris all the best and hope his second stint with the club is as successful as his first.