Former Stallion Young Gun Signs with Melbourne Victory
The 18-year-old has bolstered the Victory?s squad ahead of the AFC Champions League 2008 which kick-starts on Wednesday 12 March.
The Young Socceroos star had a tremendous 2007 season with the Stallions after he claimed Football NSW?s Under 20?s Golden Boot award and also starred in the club?s senior squad.
Victory coach Ernie Merrick stated he was delighted to have signed Elasi but is hopeful that the Victory may well extend his deal beyond the up and coming Asian Champions League campaign.
?Nathan recently played for the Qantas Young Socceroos alongside Sebastian Ryall, who was Captain of the side, and Sebastian recommended him, as well as a number of others who rate him highly.
?We brought him down and he impressed us so much, not only with his skill, positioning and his knowledge of how to play the strikers role, but he?s only just turned 18 and he has the build of a 25-year-old.
?Another huge benefit for him is his background in athletics and his speed; he?s a 100 metre sprinter and a hurdler as well, so we think he?s got the capabilities of an excellent striker and he?s a signing we want to keep for the longer term,? Merrick stated to the Victory?s official Media Release.
Elasi was ecstatic having known the news that he was to be a Victory player alongside the likes of star strikers Archie Thompson and Danny Allsopp.
?Out of all the clubs, Victory is one I really wanted to come to.
?Melbourne has such a large football following and to be part of that is the highlight of my career so far.
?It?s a good time to join the club with the AFC Champions League coming up and I?m pretty proud to be part of it.
?Just to be training with Archie and Allsopp was a great experience and they?re people to look up to in the future.
?I?ve been watching them all season and trying to learn bits and pieces off them, now to be playing with them is an extra,? Elasi stated to the Victory?s official Media Release.
Elasi will now link up with former Stallions team-mate Evan Berger who signed with the Victory at the start of this season keeping up the club?s magnificent youth development intact.
