We are delighted to announce that Kosovan international Valon Berisha will join City on loan from Ligue 1 club Stade de Reims for the 2022/23 A-League Men’s season, subject to visa approval.
The 29-year-old midfielder brings with him a wealth of experience, having spent the last couple of seasons at Reims in France’s top tier, following stints in Germany’s Bundesliga with Fortuna Dusseldorf and Italy’s Serie A with Lazio.
Berisha came through the Norway youth setup from U15s and was capped 20 times at senior level after making his international debut in 2012.
In 2016, the midfielder switched his international allegiance to his parents’ home country of Kosovo, where he has since been capped 35 times.
Join Berisha and sign on for the upcoming season! Head to melbc.it/signup to become a City Member.
Early in his career, Berisha made a name for himself at Austrian top-flight club FC Red Bull Salzburg, appearing 233 times in all competitions while scoring 45 times and providing 65 assists.
His arrival in Melbourne further strengthens Patrick Kisnorbo’s squad ahead of the new A-League Men’s season as it eyes a third consecutive silverware-winning campaign.
Melbourne City FC Director of Football, Michael Petrillo, said securing a player of Berisha’s quality was a huge boost ahead of the new season.
“We’re excited to bring Valon to Melbourne City, he’s only 29 years of age and joins directly from one of the strongest leagues in world football.
“His game fits what we need from our key midfield players. He plays with aggression and intensity both in and out of possession and has impressive technical ability.
“He is the type of player that will create chances and is also very capable of scoring himself. Most importantly he has a great mentality and application to the game and is a proven winner with five Austrian Bundesliga titles and four Austrian Cups with RB Salzburg.”
Valon Berisha said he was excited by the opportunity in Melbourne and looked forward to joining the most successful club of the past few seasons.
“I’m very excited to be here in Melbourne with a team that has been so successful on the pitch over the last few years, and I will do my best to help the team win more silverware this season.
“It is a new challenge for me, and I can’t wait to get started. The players and coaches have been fantastic since I arrived and I’m excited to meet the City fans at our first match.”
Berisha will wear the number 14 shirt and is raring to go for City’s season opener, a Grand Final rematch against Western United at AAMI Park on Friday 7 October.
BERISHA BY THE NUMBERS
INTERNATIONAL
- Kosovo (2016-): 36 appearances, 4 goals, 5 assists
- Norway (2012-2016): 20 appearances, 1 assist
CLUB
- Stade de Reims (Ligue 1, 2020-): 41 appearances, 1 goal, 4 assists
- Fortuna Dusseldorf (Bundesliga, 2020): 13 appearances, 1 assist
- SS Lazio (Serie A, 2018-2020): 22 appearances, 1 assist
- Red Bull Salzburg (Austrian Bundesliga, 2012-2018): 233 appearances, 45 goals, 65 assists
- Viking Stavanger (Eliteserien, 2009-2012): 60 appearances, 4 goals, 5 assists
