Berisha poised to become True Blue

BESART Berisha is confident he is finally set to become an Australian citizen early in the new year.

In a huge boost for his club, Melbourne Victory would essentially then be able to sign an extra foreigner for its 2018-19 campaign.

The Kosovo international has been in Australia the required five years to become a citizen, having arrived in Brisbane to play for the Roar in 2011.

He had hoped to be naturalised on Australia Day this year, but that did not pan out.

The fact that he would not take up one of its five prized visa spots next season would have made the decision much easier for Victory chiefs to resign the striker on a new oneyear deal earlier this month.

And, although highly unlikely, if the A-League’s alltime leading striker were to become an Australian as early as next month, Victory — already with one visa spot up its sleeve — could theoretically pursue an extra foreigner in the back end of this season.

Berisha will not be available to play for the Socceroos.

It is not yet clear if the 33year-old will be a marquee player next season, as he has been during his four Victory campaigns thus far.

“I hope in January or February I will become an Aussie and that will be great,” Berisha said. “I’m really looking forward to that.”