A-League Men: Perth Glory close to signing former defender and Premier’s Plate winner Tomi Mrcela

Perth Glory are on the verge of bolstering their under-fire defence, with Premier’s Plate-winning centre-back Tomi Mrcela close to returning to the club until the end of the A-League Men’s season. The 34 year-old veteran, who was born in Perth, is expected to sign on a short-term deal with the club, pending international clearance. Mrcela played 30 games for the Glory across two seasons, including 12 matches in their 2018-19 campaign which saw Perth finish on top of the ladder and reach the grand final. After two seasons and 38 games with Western Sydney Wanderers, the towering defender spent time in Uzbekistan with F.C. Neftchi Fergana and Croatia with NK Rudes. The West Australian understands Mrcela was close to signing with the club in pre-season and the club has an option to extend his deal into next season should he impress. After moving to Europe at a young age, Mrcela played for a series of clubs in Croatia before joining Korean side Jeonnam Dragons, and was brielf called into the Socceroos squad in 2015 under Ange Postecoglou, although he never appeared for the national team. Perth hope Mrcela’s arrival van alleviate their defensive woes, which have been laid bare for all to see over the past nine months, having conceded 18 goals in their opening six matches of the season. Including their off-season Australia Cup campaign, Perth have conceded an astonishing 51 goals in just 13 games and currently find themselves with a goal difference of -14. After centre-backs Darryl Lachman, Mark Beevers and Aleksandar Susnjar departed in the off-season, the Glory lured thrice-capped Ecuadorian Luis Canga and former Adelaide stopper Lachlan Barr to shore up their back four. But while Barr and Canga individually have looked solid at times this season, the defence as a unit has still been frequently exposed by opponents. The West can also reveal Perth came close to signing another centre-back in the off-season: Colombian Cristian Devenish. However, the 23 year-old instead signed for AVS Futebol SAD in Portugal’s top division at the eleventh hour, where he has started 11 of their 12 games this season.