Murray United has continued to show faith in the region’s top talent with the signing of Albury United striker Aidan Rees.
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Rees joins Myrtleford dynamo and reigning AWFA Star Player Tom Youngs and Twin City Wanderers midfielder Josh Zito as the three new additions from the Border competition.
Murray coach Elliot Jones is delighted to welcome former Greens teammate Rees to the NPL 2 outfit.
“I played a lot of football with Aidan and he’s always had all the tools to be a really good player,” Jones said.
“Getting in around this environment and testing himself week in, week out at training, we’ve seen him go to another level.
“We’re really proud of where he’s at for this stage of the pre-season and he’s basically been getting in an extra session every week.
“It’s exciting to see just how good Aidan can be.
“On his day, he’s an absolute match-winner.
“He can shoot both feet, he can dribble, he’s fast, he’s strong.”
Jones admitted Zito had been on the club’s radar for a while and the timing was right this season.
“He’s that combative, physical player anyway and he’s almost been crying out for this sort of league and standard,” Jones said.
“I think if we can really harness Josh and get him nice and fit, he’ll come in and make a real impact from round one.
“There’s always that worry when you bring players out of AWFA because there is that step up in speed and physicality.
“Tom Youngs is certainly at the level and will more than fit in, as will the other guys.”
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Murray has also added a ready-made NPL player to its stocks with Ryan Don Paul crossing from league rivals Springvale.
Don Paul is friends with Murray defender Halil Gur, who has also recommitted for a third season on the Border along with goalkeeper Kerim Koc, allowing the trio to travel from Melbourne together.
“He’s (Don Paul) a genuine wing back,” Jones said.
“He can run all day, he’s super quick and he’ll add another dimension to us with that wide wing position.
“It might even allow someone like Melkie (Woldemichael) to push forward, which will really benefit us.
“His football is great and it was a position we wanted to strengthen as a side.
“The big bonus on top is he’s a great guy and he’s fitted in really well.”
Jones praised the loyalty of the club’s travelling players.
“It’s quite tough being a regional side and we don’t have the big pool of players, so we have to look at getting some players out of Melbourne,” he said.
“I think it’s been great that the club has been able to retain those Melbourne players.
“This is their third season and it speaks volumes for the way we go about things and look after our players, because they were really keen to go around again.
“We know they’ve had big offers in Melbourne and they’ve chosen to get in the car, head down the highway and support us again.”
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