Official: Former Johnny Warren medallist Marcos Flores joins Melbourne Victory

Jul 4, 2012 5:40:00 AM

The Argentine former Adelaide United talent has agreed to become the Victorian club's new international marquee on a two-year contract

Melbourne Victory may have found the perfect replacement for Harry Kewell, signing former Adelaide United attacker Marcos Flores as their international marquee player.

Flores, who won Johnny Warren Medal as the A-League's player of the year in 2010-11, was released by Chinese club Henan Construction last month and Victory have moved fast to bring the Argentine back to Australia.

While Flores was initially linked with a move back to Adelaide, the Reds had claimed they had no room in the salary cap for the Argentine playmaker, which opened the door for Victory to sign him on a two-year deal.

"He (Flores) just came at the right time," Melbourne Victory coach Ange Postecoglou told SEN. "With us finding out Harry wasn't coming back, we just fit together."

Flores scored nine goals in 31 matches for Adelaide, quickly becoming an A-League fan favourite.

With Kewell leaving Melbourne for the United Kingdom and Carlos Hernandez shown the door to open up salary cap space, former Brisbane Roar coach Postecoglou believes Flores fills a crucial hole.

"He just adds that little bit of x-factor in our team that every team needs," Postecoglou said.

Flores has never hidden his affection for Australia and he believes he has picked the right club to renew his A-League career.

"There is a new coach who has won two championships and wants to play great football," Flores said. "He is bringing in some new players and new ideas and this is exciting for me.

"Victory have many great players and I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone better. It's also great that the stadiums and the training facilities are some of the best in the country."

Postecoglou has also revealed Victory are expected to complete their final signing for next season during the week ahead.

"We're probably looking at one more key signing and we're working hard on that," he said. "We probably need another defender."

Follow Goal.com Asia on and for the latest in Asian footballing news, features, and analysis

Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets
Sign up today with Coral and get a £50 FREE bet - no strings attached!
Sign up today with BetVictor and get a £25 FREE BET!

play

open

Inside Goal.Com

Champions League Final Preview: Dortmund - Bayern
Jurgen Klopp's side will be eager for vengeance after watching their Bundesliga title slip into the hands of the Bavarian giants this term
The Dossier: Stop Martinez, stop Bayern
With the Mario Gotze missing through injury, Marco Reus will be charged with the task of stopping Javi Martinez from dictating proceedings in the middle of the park
'Mario, you will never redeem yourself'
Mario Gotze's injury means the playmaker has now played his final game for Borussia Dortmund. In an open letter, a fan tells of his emotion at his controversial switch to Bayern
BVB's rise from the abyss to European contenders
BVB have recovered from teetering on the edge of bankruptcy to take their place on Europe's grandest stage, humbling their opponents on Saturday, Bayern Munich, along the way
Top 10 all-time Champions League scorers
As the competition moves within days of its much-anticipated conclusion at Wembley, Goal profiles the most prolific players in its history