3. BESART BERISHA | Melbourne Victory
Age: 32
Nationality: Kosovo Albanian
Position: Striker
A-League apps: 82 (Melbourne Victory), 76 (Brisbane Roar)
A-League goals: 54 (Melbourne Victory), 48 (Brisbane Roar)
Other clubs: Hamburger (Germany), Horsens (Denmark), Burnley (England), Arminia Bielefeld (Germany)
Achievements: A-League championship (Brisbane 2011-12, 2013-14; Victory 2014-15), A-League premiership (Brisbane 2013-14; Victory 2014-15), FFA Cup (Victory 2015), A-League Golden Boot (2011-12, 2016-17)
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Not much was known about Besart Berisha when he joined the A-League, but the impression he has made since is simply extraordinary.
The Kosovo Albanian is arguably the best striker to ever grace the competition, scoring a total of 102 goals in 158 matches at Brisbane and Melbourne Victory.
Berisha has participated in four grand finals for both clubs, winning three of them and scoring in all four - proving his status as a big-game player.
Next Match
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It was said that Berisha's success was tied to Roar but the 32-year-old has proved to be just as deadly in front of goal in Melbourne.
He is a predator in the final third who thrives on putting himself in positions within the six-yard box to score, but can also carve out his own chances via individual dribbling or a quality first touch.
2017-18 PROSPECTS
Berisha's fitness and form will again be key to Melbourne Victory's season and chances of winning silverware.
The centre-forward has so far escaped injury during his time at AAMI Park and Kevin Muscat will be hoping it stays that way.
He has already scored 39 more goals than the nearest active challenger (Alex Brosque - 63) and will be keen to further extend that gap this campaign.
Goal A-League 20:
No.4 - Mark Milligan (Melb Victory)
No.5 - Alex Wilkinson (Sydney FC)
No.6 - James Troisi (Melb Victory)
No.7 - Bruno Fornaroli (Melb City)
No.8 - Rhyan Grant (Sydney FC)
No.9 - Eugene Galekovic (Melb City)
No.10 - Andy Keogh (Perth Glory)
No.11 - Alex Brosque (Sydney FC)
No.13 - Kosta Barbarouses (Melb Victory)
No.14 - Isaias Sanchez (Adelaide United)
No.15 - Luke DeVere (Brisbane Roar)
No.16 - Michael Jakobsen (Melb City)
No.17 - Brendon Santalab (WSW)
No.18 - Michael Zullo (Sydney FC)
No.19 - Brandon O'Neill (Sydney FC)
No.20 - Matt McKay (Brisbane Roar)
No.2 in Goal's Top 20 A-League players will be named on Thursday.