Melbourne City FC has added two players to its Scholarship roster, upgrading youth product Stefan Colakovski and signing Bernardo Oliveira.
Colakovski – who made his Hyundai A-League debut during Sunday’s clash against Wellington – has been upgraded to a Scholarship contract after impressing in his three years as part of the Club’s Academy system in the Foxtel Y-League and National Premier Leagues competitions.
The Melbourne-born forward began his football education at Pascoe Vale Football Club in Melbourne’s north, playing at the club and part of the Victorian state system before joining Melbourne City in 2016.
Colakovski played an important role in the Club’s latest NPL season, scoring nine goals in the NPL2 East competition and has impressed under Erick Mombaerts so far this season.
The Club can also confirm it has signed exciting 15-year-old Bernardo Olivera to a Scholarship contract for the 2019/20 season.
Oliveira – the son of former Adelaide United legend Cassio Oliveira – joins the Club from the South Australian NTC side.
Oliveira who has represented the Australian Under 15 and 16 teams playing 9 games and scoring 4 goals, is an attacking midfielder with an eye for goals and will be a part of City’s squad ahead of the 2019/20 Foxtel Y-League season.
Melbourne City FC Director of Football Michael Petrillo said: “We’re really excited to add both Stefan and Bernardo to our roster as Scholarship players and feel these two players will continue to develop as footballers in one of the country’s best professional football environments.”
“Stefan has come on in leaps and bounds since joining the first team training on a regular basis and his senior debut on the weekend is testament to his hard work and attitude. He will continue to be a part of our first team set up for the remainder of the season.
“Bernardo is an exciting young prospect for us and we are really excited he has chosen Melbourne City. We believe he is one of the best players in the 2004 crop of Australian players we have been scouting and we’re looking forward to see how he develops in a professional environment over the next few years at City. It is a testament to the work we are doing here for Bernardo to decide to make City his club of choice.”
