Brazilian midfielder Fink on way as signings continue at Melbourne Victory

22 Jun 2012 05:40:00

Victory now have five new faces ahead of the 2012-13 A-League season, with the Brazilian midfielder taking the second-last visa spot in the squad

Melbourne Victory have announced the signing of Brazilian midfielder Guilherme Finkler on a two-year deal.

Finkler arrives from second division Brazilian club Criciuma, with the 26-year-old attacking midfielder spending most of his career in Brazil, playing between the second and fourth divisions.

He also had a brief stint on loan in 2006-07 with English Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers, and is expected to arrive at Victory in early July, pending his visa application.

"It's very exciting for me to be joining Melbourne Victory," he said via statement on Friday.

"I hear they have great fans and have been a very successful club so it's a move I'm very happy to make.

"I have known [former Adelaide United forward] Fernando Rech for a long time and he told me how nice Australia is and that the standard of football is very good."

Victory coach Ange Postecoglou was thrilled to secure Finkler’s services and believes he has the ability to be a success.

Postecoglou's new man takes up the second-last visa spot on Victory's list, with the coach expected to make a central defender his final overseas signing.

"Guilherme is an exciting prospect and I’m looking forward to working with him," he said.

"Brazilian players have certain qualities that not many other players possess, so I'm confident he can bring a different type of flair to the group, but more importantly, he comes with a determination and ambition to be a part of a successful team."

Finkler is the fifth addition to the club's squad ahead of the 2012-13 A-League season, joining Jonathon Bru, Spase Dilevski, Sam Gallagher and Adama Traore on Victory’s revamped roster.

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