Melbourne City FC has made a major A-League Men’s transfer deadline day statement, with the return of fan favourite Nathaniel Atkinson, and the signing of versatile winger Yonatan Cohen.
Atkinson returns on a three-year deal marking an exciting moment for Melbourne City, as the dynamic defender is welcomed back to the Club where his professional journey began. His electric style of play and tireless work ethic made him a standout figure among City supporters, who will no doubt be thrilled by his homecoming.
In addition to Atkinson’s return, the Club has further strengthened its squad with the signing of Israeli international Yonatan Cohen on a one-year deal. Cohen, a versatile winger with a proven track record at Maccabi Tel Aviv, brings creativity and depth to the team’s attacking options.
Melbourne City FC Director of Football, Michael Petrillo, expressed his enthusiasm about the deadline day signings:
“Bringing Nathaniel and Yonatan to the Club has been a priority for us, two deals that we’ve been working on for some time, and we appreciate the professional approach of both Hearts and Maccabi Tel Aviv in helping facilitate these moves.
“We are thrilled to welcome Nathaniel back to Melbourne City. His experience in Europe and time with the Socceroos have added depth to his game, and we are confident he will make an immediate impact upon his return.
“Yonatan’s ability to influence games with his creativity, vision and goal-scoring ability adds another dimension to the team, and we believe he’ll prove to be a great asset to our squad.
Both players are proven winners who align with the exciting and dynamic style of football we pride ourselves on at City.”
Nathaniel Atkinson shared his enthusiasm about rejoining the Club where his professional journey began:
“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to come back to Melbourne City, a place that feels like home to me. My time at Hearts was a fantastic experience, but I’m excited to be back where it all started and contribute to the team’s future success.
“I’ve grown a lot as a player and as a person, and I can’t wait to bring that experience to the pitch. I’ve missed the incredible support of the City fans, and I can’t wait to run out at AAMI Park again this season.”
Yonatan Cohen expressed his excitement about joining Melbourne City:
“When I heard about the opportunity to join Melbourne City, I didn’t hesitate. The club has a strong culture of success, and I’m confident I can bring my experience and skills to help build on that.
“I’m excited to play in front of the fans and contribute to the exciting football this team is known for.”
With a little over month until the 2024/25 A-League Men’s season kicks off, attention now turns to City’s opening match away at Newcastle before a massive home derby against rivals Melbourne Victory on Saturday 26 October, 2024.
