Only days after recruiting Josh Chapman back to McNamara Reserve, the Alpine Saints have struck again by landing one of country Victoria’s premier defenders.

The Shepparton United star, who spent time at Port Adelaide with Brad Murray, has signed a two-year deal as an assistant-coach.

Myrtleford president Michael Quirk said Looby, 29, would be a huge acquisition for the club as it attempted to improve on this year’s elimination final loss.

“Tim’s exactly the type of player we were looking for,” Quirk said.

“We wanted to beef up our young playing stocks as we have Brad, Josh Chapman and ‘Hayesy’ (Jarrod Hayse) around 30 or older but then we drop back to an average age of 23 or so.

“He’s played a lot of fantastic football in the Goulburn Valley league and is a really versatile type of player.

“He can play virtually anywhere.

“We think he’ll be great.”

The 187-centimetre Looby has played most of his football in defence for Shepparton United and Shepparton Swans but has also made impacts when thrown into the midfield or up forward.

Looby captained Victoria Country in 2014 and 2015 and has represented the Goulburn Valley on seven occasions.

He will relocate to Myrtleford in the New Year.

“We’re really excited to have him on board,” Quirk said.

“He’s known Brad for a fair while and it really just started from a few phone calls.”

Chapman has spent the past three seasons with Shepparton Swans and played in the Swans’ 2014 premiership side.

Quirk said Myrtleford’s player retention from last season had been promising.