Kosta Barbarouses’ return to Wellington Phoenix has been confirmed, with the Melbourne Victory winger set to depart the A-League champions at the end of the season and head back to the club where he made his A-League debut.
Barbarouses returns to the Kiwi club having made 61 appearances for Melbourne Victory, scoring 15 goals and playing a crucial part in the Victory’s double-winning 2014-15 season.
Before his Melbourne stint, the 26-year-old won the A-League title and premiership with Ange Postecoglou’s famous 2009-10 Brisbane Roar team before moving to Russia and Greece for short stays with Alania Vladikavkaz and Panathinaikos.
Barbarouses says the time was right for him to make the “tough decision” to return to the club where he made his name, but reiterated his remaining commitment to Melbourne Victory’s title defence.
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“This was a very tough decision for me, because I have loved my time at Melbourne Victory over the last three seasons,” Barbarouses said.
“I would love to go out on a high with another grand final win because I have loved my time in Melbourne. In the end, the opportunity to move back home to live close to my family was too hard to pass up.
“I’ve experienced a lot football-wise over the last few years and am looking forward to using what I have learnt to help the Phoenix become successful.
“While I don’t watch a lot of A-League games I always watch the Phoenix and I sense things are happening there and I want to be a part of it.
“Having just turned 26 I think it is a good age to be coming back with the experiences I have had overseas and genuinely believe we can do something special.
“The Phoenix play some of the best football in the competition and just need three or four players to become genuine contenders. I have had a few conversations with Ernie (Merrick) and am looking forward to working with him.
“He is a coach who adapts to what he has to work with and I can see myself working well with the players who are there now.
“Now I am really looking forward to being in my home town and among my family again but I’ve still got a job to do for Victory … I will give everything I have for the rest of the season to try and bring more silverware to the club.”
Victory boss Kevin Muscat, who selected Barbarouses in his AFC Champions League squad as one of three foreign players, expressed his disappointment at Barbarouses’ impending departure but acknowledged the importance of family in the forward’s decision.
“Naturally we’re disappointed to lose a player like Kosta, who has been an important member of our team for the last three seasons,” Muscat said.
“We were determined to keep him, but ultimately he believes this is the best decision for him. We understand the opportunity to move back home to be close to his family was a strong factor in his decision.
“We would like to thank Kosta for his contribution to Melbourne Victory, and wish him all the best for the future.”
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