Glory set to unleash Keogh-Fornaroli duo
PERTH Glory is set to unleash a strike duo of Andy Keogh and Bruno Fornaroli next A-League season, but will Chris Ikonomidis be there to feed them? Irishman Keogh has re-signed with Glory for another campaign while Melbourne City discard Fornaroli is set to join Glory.
But the future of Ikonomidis remains uncertain despite him having two more years on his Glory contract.
Ikonomidis is set to attract a glut of offers after his star displays for the Socceroos at the Asian Cup.
His hot form for Glory – netting eight goals in 14 games this season – has also increased his value.
Another priority re-signing for Glory is skipper Diego Castro, who has been in stunning form.
Keogh was part of intense trade speculation earlier this season when City were interested in a direct swap for Fornaroli.
Fornaroli had fallen out with City coach Warren Joyce but Glory weren’t keen to give up Keogh for the Uruguayan.
As it pans out, Perth appears most likely to end up with both forwards. Keogh, who has family in Perth, is close to receiving his Australian citizenship.
That would free up an international spot on Glory’s books.
“I never had any thoughts about leaving Glory and it’s fantastic to be a part of this team and what is an exciting time for the club,” Keogh said.
“I’m looking forward to continuing to score goals and hopefully helping the club to secure some silverware.”
Keogh is the club’s record A-League goal scorer, having netted 52 goals in 115 appearances for Glory, including 12 this season.
“Andy’s goalscoring record speaks for itself, and he is rightly regarded as one of the very best strikers in the competition,” Glory football director Jacob Burns said. “Proven goalscorers are a rare commodity, so it’s no surprise that plenty of other clubs were competing for his signature.”
Perth is six points clear on top of the table with just six matches before the finals.
They have the chance to extend their club-record unbeaten run to 13 games when they meet Adelaide at Coopers Stadium on March 15.