Rocky Visconte is set to sign with Western Sydney Wanderers today. Picture: Glenn Barnes Source: The Courier-Mail
WANDERERS coach Tony Popovic will add more attacking power to his arsenal with the signing of left winger Rocky Visconte today, assuming the Adelaide-born flyer passes a medical.
Visconte was released by Brisbane yesterday to allow him to fly down to Sydney where he will sign a short-term contract until the end of the season, with the hope of then earning something longer term for beyond that.
Offering Popovic another option on the left wing, where Mark Bridge has been first choice this season, Visconte would be eligible to play after the Australian transfer window opens on January 14.
The first game for the Wanderers after that is ironically away to Brisbane, on Sunday January 20, with Wanderers GM Football John Tsatsimas confirming the club hoped to have a deal wrapped up well before then.
"He's a player who Tony has identified as someone able to enhance the quality of our squad, and all things going well with the medical he will come on board," Tsatsimas said.
"We're very close to a deal though he hasn't signed anything as we speak.
"But we hope that he will give us more options and more depth, as injuries and so on come into the equation as the season goes on."
Visconte joined Hearts as a 16-year-old in 2006 but managed only two senior appearances before being offered the chance to resurrect his career by Ange Postecoglou as he rebuilt the Roar squad in 2010.
But despite a succession of substitute appearances in his first season, Visconte was unable to establish himself in the all-conquering Roar side and had yet to feature this year.
"At this stage of his career Rocky needs to play first-team football and he was not likely to figure in our first team plans," Roar coach Mike Mulvey said.
"Rocky has worked hard at training since I arrived at the club and we wish him the best of luck for the future.
"These decisions are never taken lightly, but we felt it was the right thing to do at this point in time."
Visconte, still only 22, has played for all three of the Australian under-age sides.
"Thankyou @brisbaneroar and all the people who have supported myself and the club while iv been here, was a special time that il never forget," Visconte said last night on Twitter.
Meanwhile, another target for the Wanderers for next season, Newcastle midfielder Ruben Zadkovich, will find out today whether he faces an extended period on the sidelines. The former Derby man injured his knee at training yesterday, and was sent for scans which will determine the seriousness of the injury.
It adds to Gary van Egmond's injury concerns with Jobe Wheelhouse only just returning from a similar ailment.
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