Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Hanoi: AFC Cup quarter-finalists Hanoi T&T have been forced into a defensive reshuffle ahead of their last-eight meeting with Arbil following the departure of centre-back Sam Gallagher, who has returned to the A-League and joined Newcastle Jets.
The 23-year-old former Australia U-20 international started three matches for Hanoi in this year's AFC Cup having featured in both of the ACL playoffs where he got his first goal for the two-time Vietnamese league champions when he found the net in the 3-0 first round victory over India's Pune FC.
Brought in to fill the void left by retiring Hanoi skipper Cristiano, Gallagher joined the club in January 2014 following a spell in Norway with IF Birkebeineren.
He began his career in the youth ranks of Sydney FC before signing a senior contract with the Central Coast Mariners and while he was unable to command a regular place for the Gosford-based club he did feature in the 2012 AFC Champions League before moving on the Melbourne Victory where he also saw limited playing time.
"I always had it in my mind that if had the chance to play in Australia again I'd look to try and take it, so when the opportunity to trial with Newcastle came up I jumped at the chance," Gallagher was quoted as saying by Football Federation Australia's official website.
"Thankfully the trial went well and I was able to get a contract. I'm excited to be a Jets player and really looking forward to getting a good pre-season under my belt and giving everything I can for the club.
"I'm lucky enough to know a few of the boys from previous experiences and the rest of the squad has been really good to me since I came in on trial, so it's made the transition nice and easy."