Inglewood United has signalled their intention to challenge for next years’ National Premier Leagues title by securing the services of former Australian youth international Aleks Vrteski. Arguably the local scene’s most experienced goalkeeper, Vrteski is looking forward to playing his part in Inglewood’s revival after agreeing terms with the club late last week.
“I’m really excited about joining Inglewood and the prospect of a new challenge,” said Vrteski, who has played professionally in Australia, Macedonia and Indonesia. “I’ve had some lengthy discussions with the coaches and the board of Inglewood and have been really impressed in the direction the club is looking to take and the ambitions they have.”
One of those ambitions is ending a decade-long silverware drought. “Inglewood has always had the ingredients to be a club which could win trophies but, for whatever reasons, that hasn’t eventuated,” Vrteski, 26, commented. “However, I plan to play my part in changing that for the people of Inglewood.”
“In the last two seasons I have learnt a lot about the differences of a title winning team and a team that just misses out,” continued Vrteski, referring to his recent stay at Stirling Lions. “I believe I can draw on those experiences to relish the challenge ahead, and at the same time help my new team mates along and together we can all enjoy the ride.”
Vrteski has packed a lot of football into his 26 years. He first came to prominence with Future Glory and, following time with Sorrento, by the age of 17 was standing between the posts for Stirling Lions. Australian youth honours first came in 2005 along with a scholarship at the Australian Institute of Sport.
Upon graduation Vrteski signed professional papers with Perth Glory, making 9 appearances during the summer of 2006/07. A move abroad took him to Macedonian club FK Pobeda, playing 20 times across two-seasons, before a second spell with Glory reaped another four A-League outings.
A 2011 move to Indonesia had Vrteski join Solo FC, for whom he featured 16 times, and a move to Persija Jakarta twelve months later resulted in a further 18 appearances. A short loan with Newcastle Jets preceded his return to Stirling, who he helped finish top of the 2013 Premier League and won that seasons’ Goalkeeper of the Year.
