Perth Glory’s rebuild for this A-League Men season is well and truly underway. With 14 new signings and 12 players getting the boot, Ruben Zadkovich has hit ‘refresh’ on his team.
One new addition fans should be particularly excited about is Englishman Mark Beevers, who brings experience and height, at 193cm, to Glory’s backline.
Beevers transferred from Peterborough United earlier this year, after playing for ‘The Posh’ for three years.
Throughout the 32-year old’s career he has appeared in 557 professional games and was named in the 2020/21 EFL League One Team of the Season.
Beevers may just be Glory’s saving grace after a turbulent and poor previous season that resulted in the wooden spoon.
Beevers said he made the decision to move to Perth from the United Kingdom to continue to further his playing experience abroad.
“I have played in the UK for 14 years, so I didn’t want to get to the back end of my football career without experiencing something different,” Beevers said.
New head of recruitment and former Glory player, Andy Keogh, is also to thank for Beevers relocation.
“I had some links over here and knew some players who had come over to Australia from the UK. The main one being Andy Keogh,” Beevers said.
“I played with him when he was at Millwall. We got in contact again and started chatting and things moved fairly quickly from there.”
Despite Keogh’s shift from player to member of the managerial team, Beevers said their friendship is still strong.
“It’s strange, I still don’t see Keogh as being part of the managerial team. I see him as a player, and a friend,” he said.
“As soon as I spoke to him and I knew they were after a player like myself, I jumped straight at it.”
Beevers has no doubts about the team chemistry at Glory. He said when moving across the globe, he was warmly welcomed by the club.
“It’s been great since I got here. The lads, the staff and everyone I’ve met in Perth in general have been really welcoming,” he said.
“The chemistry on the pitch as well, from where I’m sitting, it’s been great so far.
I’m sure the other boys would echo that as well.
”
Beevers hopes a top-six spot could be on the cards for the Glory this season.
“Looking around at the players we have. We have some quality within the team and I think we have it in abundance as well,” he said.
“We have some good young players and some players that are in their 30s now and have lots of experience to bring to the table.
“I think we complement each other well throughout the squad so hopefully we can (finish top-six).”
Feature Image Credit: Vince Caratozzolo
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