Foschini gets Victory nod

Teenage defender Matthew Foschini has earned a spot on Melbourne Victory’s senior list, becoming the second player to graduate from the National Youth League squad this season.

Teenage defender Matthew Foschini has earned a spot on Melbourne Victory’s senior list, becoming the second player to graduate from the National Youth League squad this season.

Foschini has been training with the Victory Hyundai A-League side for a number of months and played matches in the pre-season in China and in Launceston. He follows in the footsteps of Victory Youth Medallist Mathew Theodore, who was the first player from the side to graduate to the senior squad in April.

“Matthew was outstanding in the National Youth League last season and has been just as impressive in training and trial matches with the senior side,” Victory Football Operations Manager Gary Cole said.

“He’s born and bred in Melbourne and is a great addition to our squad for the next two years.”

The 18-year-old is the son of former St Kilda and Sydney AFL forward Silvio Foschini, who played 107 games between 1981 and 1988.

The Victorian could get his first taste of Hyundai A-League action as early as this Saturday, with Melbourne looking at its defensive options in the absence of the injured Kevin Muscat. Melbourne, winless in its first two games, travels to Townsville to take on the Fury.

Melbourne announced on Monday that it had parted ways with defender Daniel Vasilevski, who had made just a handful of appearances with the club over the past two years.

“Daniel has been great around the club but is keen to secure regular first-team football, which we understand and wish him all the best in his future endeavours,” Cole said.