Glory get Garcia at last
One of the worst kept secrets of the A-League off-season has finally been confirmed – former Socceroos attacker Richard Garcia has joined Perth Glory on a two-year deal.
As revealed by thewest.com.au, Garcia completed fitness testing with Glory conditioning staff last week and trained with his new teammates for the first time yesterday.
Glory confirmed the deal this afternoon.
Garcia joins Republic of Ireland striker Andy Keogh and proven A-League players Mitch Nichols, Youssouf Hersi, Ruben Zadkovich, Diogo Ferreira and Dino Djulbic as new recruits in a revamped Glory squad under new coach Kenny Lowe.
“It was great to start training yesterday and meet all the players,” Garcia said.
“I’ve been really impressed with the recruiting strategy of Kenny Lowe and feel that the squad he has assembled has a real chance of achieving success this season.”
WA product Garcia left Perth as a teenager to join West Ham United and spent more than a decade in the UK, including stints at Colchester United and Hull City.
He returned to Australia in 2012 with Melbourne Heart, now known as Melbourne City, and spent last season at Sydney FC.
Garcia spent a brief spell at second-tier North American club Minnesota United before coming home last month.
“It will be fantastic to pull on the purple shirt of Perth Glory and represent my hometown club,” Garcia said.
“I can’t wait for the season to start.”
Garcia is likely to line-up in friendly matches for Glory before the club’s first competitive hit-out of the new season – first-round FFA Cup tie away to Newcastle Jets on August 5.
