Luke Vickery and Khoder Kaddour have signed their first professional contracts, signing two year deals with Western United.
Both players have progressed through the ranks in the Western United Academy and each made their A-League Men’s debuts in the 2023-24 season.
Vickery’s rapid development earned him a maiden Young Socceroos call-up last month. The 18-year-old has been in electric form with five goals in 11 Victorian Premier League 1 matches this season.
Kaddour made five first-team appearances last season before his season was cut short by an ACL injury.
Kaddour and Vickery said they are ready to step up into an exciting future at Ironbark Fields.
“All my hard work has been building towards this. I honestly thought this was never going to happen, so for it to happen is a dream come true,” Kaddour said.
“It feels good having my friends who I’ve known for years signing for the same club. That’s the kind of thing you don’t think would happen. It gives the club something to look forward to – a good future with a lot of young players signing.”
Vickery added, “I can’t wait to keep growing both as a player and a person with the club and I’m so grateful for this opportunity – the hard work starts now.
“The fans definitely have to come out and watch us. There’s a lot of youth, a lot of excitement, a lot of energy. It’ll be a very exciting season next year and it’ll be awesome for a lot of fans to come and support us at our home in Tarneit.”
United football general manager Mal Impiombato celebrated the achievements of Vickery and Kaddour.
“We are immensely proud to confirm these two signings – players that have come into our academy pathway, developed as footballers and as people in our system and are now ready for the professional game,” he said.
The pair of youngsters join Abel Walatee in signing their first senior contracts for next season, while Matthew Grimaldi has committed to a three-year contract as Western United.
Meanwhile. Zach Lisolajski is on the move.
The rising star defender has signed a two-year contract with Perth Glory.
Lisolajski, who played his junior soccer at Sydenham Park, made his A-League debut for United last season, playing six games.
Lisolajski is excited to be part of a new era at Perth Glory.
“After speaking with [Glory Football Director] Stan Lazaridis, whom I admired as a left-sided player, I was impressed with his belief in me,” he said.
“With a lot of hard work and the belief that I have in my ability, I hope to be a starting eleven player and develop more as a footballer with the support from the coaching staff and my teammates.
“I expect Perth Glory to be playing Finals football next year, which is a place where we know the club belongs.”
In other Western United news, Sasha Grove will add to Western United’s growing list of talented youngsters in the A-League Women’s, with the Australian uinder-23 international full-back signing for the next two seasons.
