Ubay Luzardo first signing for Melbourne Victory boss Magilton

Melbourne Victory today announced that defender, Ubay Luzardo, has joined the club, on-loan, until the end of the Hyundai A-League season, subject to an International Transfer Certificate (ITC).

Luzardo has spent the past two-and-a-half years playing in the Hong Kong First Division with Kitchee SC, making 44 appearances and scoring 10 goals. Alongside fellow new recruit, Mark Milligan, the Spaniard will provide greater depth to a defence that has conceded 30 goals this campaign.

The 28 year-old has been on trial at AAMI Park for the past two weeks and interim Head Coach, Jim Magilton, has been impressed by what he’s seen, “Ubay is a big, strong boy, who moves well for a player of his size.”

“He’s done everything right in his short time with the club and will provide more stability to our defence and also give us some flexibility with the personnel we currently have,” Magilton added.

In further good news, Captain, Adrian Leijer, has signed a 2-year contract extension that will take him through until the end of the 2013/14 Hyundai A-League season while promising youngsters Matthew Foschini and Petar Franjic have also put pen to paper on new deals. Along with Leijer, Foschini has signed for an additional two years, while Franjic extended his term by one year.

All three represent the future of Melbourne Victory and Magilton is delighted to have secured players of their calibre, “These three boys have all represented Australia in different age groups and it was important that we kept them at our club.”

“Adrian has proven himself to be one of the most reliable defenders in the league and, at just 25, is still relatively young for a centre-half and will only continue to improve,” he said.

“Matthew has established himself as a first team regular this season and Petar has done very well when given an opportunity, so I believe both youngsters have bright futures at this club.”