Like Honda, Melbourne Victory’s marketing department had a nervy night, as the Japanese duel formed a key plank of the strategy and lure for securing the former AC Milan and CSKA Moscow ace to Australia.

Sanfrecce’s win could boost Victory’s coffers by in excess of $500,000 in sponsorship, merchandise and ticket sales, in addition to increased Asian brand exposure.

From the Davutovic this morning. Big windfall if we can attain some sizable sponsors for this campaign. 

Fittingly enough, the game against Sanfrecce could quite possibly be Keisuke's last for us. 

So we get Hiroshima in our group, but only just with the Japanese club winning by one penalty in a shootout after 120 goalless minutes.

A slow start for Hiroshima isn't that surprising considering that their J League season doesn't start until this weekend, and is good news for Victory as our away game against them is on the second matchday on March 12th. Too soon to get away tickets to see Honda in Japan?

No Berisha in their squad, or Dangda for that matter, in fact their new Swedish signing was the only foreigner to start, and their Brazilian striker Patric was an 82nd minute sub.

That's Ola. Ola is a 2 year/season deal.

Also, not sure on the exact details of this particular contract, but overseas this clause is usually enacted by the club. So, if that is the case, MV can legally just extend the contract for another year whether Kosta wants to or not.

These sorts of things are usually part of the contract, so it would be a mutually agreed clause. A bit of a safety net for both the player and the club. I wouldn't be surprised if it prevents him from having discussions with other clubs until he has rejected the extension.

One year deal, sadly.

I wonder if the option for Kosta's extra year is the club's, or his?

Thought we had Honda for season 2?

-PB

whoops. i missed the consecutive years fine print. 


Broxy has triplets and needs every cent he can get. he's not worth anywhere near $200k as a player, but is probably getting it due to his loyalty and 50% being paid outside of the cap. 

If we go on and win a trophy from here, I can see the club offering JT another season as marquee. and he'll probably be keen to stay now that he has a baby on the way. 

I hope Raul stays as well, but I'm not sure of the details of his loan situation. 

Leigh Broxham (with 5 year discount towards the salary cap) has to be the best deal in the A league.
Hope Raul and Troisi (preferably under the cap) stay.

Yeah I reckon if MV offer Valeri another year or two he will take it. His performances and fitness this season have been good. No reason not to make him an offer if he wants to stay.
Broxham is a no brainer with 50% of his salary exempt. I'd be really shocked if he went elsewhere.
I reckon Kosta will stay, but wouldn't be surprised if there is a bit of a bidding war.
Troisi will be offered a contract but he will definitely be shopping around as they wouldn't be offering him marquee money again, and that's just how he is.
Ingham should be dropped. He's been given plenty of opportunities with MV and has lacked any real improvement.

The others are a bit tricky.
If the FFA money is still on the table next season, they should have a crack at keeping Honda. I'm sure they will at least make an offer.
I'd like to see Baena stay, but it's a loan deal so it may not be an option.
Although Georg has had some good performances, he's too injury prone. MV should probably be looking at other options for that position.

I honestly thought this year would be Carl's last. 

However, would have no issue with another 1 year deal where he becomes a squad player. This was definitely the plan this year, but injuries forced him back into a starting spot.

Player	Date of Birth (Age)	Nat.	End of contract	Contract option	Market value
Keisuke Honda Right Winger	Jun 13, 1986 (32)		30.06.2019	-	£3.60m
Raúl Baena Defensive Midfield	Mar 2, 1989 (29)		30.06.2019	-	£900k
James Troisi Attacking Midfield	Jul 3, 1988 (30)		30.06.2019	-	£810k
Kosta Barbarouses Right Winger	Feb 19, 1990 (29)		30.06.2019	Option for a further year	£675k
Carl Valeri Central Midfield	Aug 14, 1984 (34)		30.06.2019	-	£360k
Leigh Broxham Left-Back	Jan 13, 1988 (31)		30.06.2019	-	£315k
Georg Niedermeier Centre-Back	Feb 26, 1986 (32)		30.06.2019	-	£270k
Jai Ingham Right Winger	Aug 14, 1993 (25)		30.05.2019	-	£135k

Our off contract players according to transfermarkt. 

Would be chuffed if we kept them all bar the bottom 2. 

Correct, Kosta is not loyalty exempt next season.

Loyalty Players – A Club can spend up to a collective $200,000 across any number of Players that have given 5 or more consecutive seasons of service to the Club. A portion of a Loyalty Player’s contract value is excluded from the Salary Cap based on a progressive scale from 25% (5th continuous season) to 50% (10th continuous season onwards);

However, Broxham (50%), Thomas (35%) and Valeri (30%) are all loyalty exempt which means they could easily potentially max out that $200k exemption.
Broxham and Valeri are also out of contract at the end of the season.

I am only guessing but I would think they have to be continuous years.
Once you leave and come back you start at 0 again?

I’d be happy if Roar offered Kosta a marque deal to come back. I’d think a few other clubs would be too ...

lol. they won't. its ridiculous to suggest that. 

lets also remember that Kosta has been at Victory for 5 seasons, meaning he is eligible for the loyalty bonus next season. This means he can have up to 25% of his salary outside of the cap. if he is offered a $300k deal next season, only $225k would count inside the cap. so unless another HAL team offers him a marquee deal (no chance), then he will financially benefit by staying at Victory. 

Have you not seen kostas wife 😂😂😂😂 

Jamie Maclaren has been a fan of Victory since he was a kid and his sister has a senior position at the club too as Commercial Manager, but that didn't stop him.

We'll just have to promote her ;)

Interesting how the first two fields are for parent/guardian name... are they expecting kids to take it up more so?

Either way, good little revenue raiser for the club, I'm sure there will be a few Japanese fans jumping onboard.

If they double his wage I'm sure she'd take kindly to it.

His wife is a mv fan and i think works part time  with the club in some capacity.  Dont think she'll take to kindly to him moving 😂😂

That's even more plastic than that time the Mariners had a Liverpool active area for Luis Garcia's first game.

Thinking outside the box! Wonder how many Japanese fans would actually take it up?

Haha!!

I reckon he would be crazy not to seriously consider a more lucrative offer from WU or MC if one is on the table. He's at that point in his career where maximising his pay packet is important. 

While I am sure he is happy at Victory, what happens if WMG offer him a marquee spot? Stays in Melbourne but on more coin that we are allowed to offer him.

I would be happy to skip some $ to keep her happy. Well played Kosta.

its about more than money for Kosta. happy wife happy life. 

Kosta came back to mv on a lower wage then he was on at nix. He is back on the 250 k he was on when he first  came back.  I think he is happy at mv

wtf - Honda memberships wtf - Honda memberships :D

http://www.gomvfc.com.au/hondasupportermembership/