Bentleigh Greens SC has further bolstered its squad ahead of the 2016 Victorian National Premier League season with the addition of Fortuna Dusseldorf and former Melbourne City FC defender Ross Archibald.
The 21 year-old links up with the reigning NPL Champions having spent the past six months with Fortuna Dusseldorf’s under 21 side.
Archibald returns to Melbourne from the 2. Bundesliga outfit which has also featured fellow Australians Robbie Kruse, Ben Halloran and Julius Davies.
The Queensland-born defender spent three years with Brisbane Roar’s Youth Team before moving to Victoria in 2013 to join Melbourne Heart’s NYL squad after a short spell with Olympic FC.
He subsequently made his debut for the senior team after coming on as a late substitute for Harry Kewell in Heart’s memorable 4-0 victory over city rivals Victory in March 2014.
The Queensland Academy of Sport graduate made a further three appearances for the re-branded Melbourne City FC in the 2014-15 season before being released by the Club at the conclusion of its season.
Archibald pictured with Bentleigh Greens SC CEO John Ioannou
Archibald’s move to Kingston Heath Soccer Complex will mark his second spell with the Greens having turned out for John Anastasiadis’ men during the course of the 2014 NPL season where he made a total of five appearences for the club – scoring one goal.
Meanwhile the Club has confirmed that Troy Ruthven will not return to the Greens in 2016 after agreeing terms with former club Gold Coast City (formerly called Palm Beach Sharks).
The versatile 25 year-old – who opened the scoring in stunning fashion in the Greens 3-1 Grand Final triumph over South Melbourne – had originally agreed to re-sign with the Club in 2016 but complications relating to his university course forced him to return back to Queensland.