ISL 2020-21: Hyderabad FC signs Australian forward Joel Chianese
The 30-year-old Australian signs from A-League side Perth Glory after helping the side to reach the semifinals in the recently-concluded play-offs of the 2019-20 season.
Published : Sep 03, 2020 17:25 IST
Hyderabad FC on Thursday announced the signing of Australian forward Joel Chianese for the upcoming season of the Indian Super League.
The 30-year-old Australian signs from A-League side Perth Glory after helping the side to reach the semifinals in the recently-concluded play-offs of the 2019-20 season.
“I’m super excited to join Hyderabad FC. I’m most looking forward to meeting my teammates and working together with everyone at the club. All the messages I have received have been so positive, and so I feel welcome already,” Chianese said in a release.
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Chianese began his professional career with Blacktown City FC before moving up to A-League with Sydney FC in 2011.
Following a three-year stint with Sydney FC, he turned out for Sydney United and Bonnyrigg White Eagles in the National Premier Leagues before going abroad.
During a one-year stay in Malaysia, Chianese would turn out for Sabah FA (2015) and Negeri Sembilan FA (2016), netting a staggering 17 goals in 29 league appearances in the Super League.
He returned to Australia in late 2016 to join Perth and became a crucial part of the side over the next four seasons, guiding the team to the top of the league in 2018-19 as his side finished runner-up in the play-offs.
“Hopefully my previous experience of playing in Asia can help me embrace the culture on and off the field, which helps ensure that I enjoy my football and help the team create success,” Chianese said.
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"The current world situation means we may not have fans at the games, but we need to work hard as a group to give the fans watching from home something to be excited about,” he added.
Apart from scoring 25 goals in his seven seasons in the A-League, the Australian has also played in the AFC Champions League with Sydney FC and Perth Glory.
Hyderabad FC co-owner Varun Tripuraneni said, “Joel Chianese is an exciting player and we have followed him for quite some time now. He has been one of the consistent performers in the A-League, and we’re sure that his experience of playing in Asia will be a value add.
“He is someone who can slot in easily in multiple positions in attack, so that gives the team quite a few options up front.”
Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the next ISL will be held in Goa from November to April 2021.