ATK Mohun Bagan have completed the signing of 29-year-old versatile Australian midfielder Dimitri Petratos on a one-year deal, the club has officially announced the move through their social media handles earlier today.
About Dimitri Petratos and his past tenures
Born in Sydney, Petratos started his career with various amateur and semi-professional players in Australia. In 2009, he signed for local A-League Club Sydney FC’s youth team and also spend a short time at Penrith Nepean United FC. Sydney FC secured him to a new two-year professional contract in January 2011, replacing his youth league contract.
But following a reported bust-up with Zeljko Kalac, Petratos requested for and was granted a release from Sydney FC, allowing him to pursue a move to Malaysian Super League Champions Kelantan. He had superb goalscoring form in the Malaysian League and even featured for the club in the 2013 AFC Cup and scored 4 goals in 7 matches.
In June 2013, Petratos was signed by the A-League side Brisbane Roar FC on a one-year deal. Petratos backed up his best career form with a goal of the season contender against Melbourne City, scoring on the half-volley from 35-meters out. He managed to feature in all of Brisbane’s 29 games, finishing with a goal tally of 7 and an equally impressive 5 assists. Petratos scored 16 goals and even recorded 10 assists in the 98 appearances for the Roars during his entire stay.
In January 2017, Petratos was signed, along with his brother Kosta by Newcastle Jets on a 3-year contract, starting in the 2017–18 season. However, less than two weeks later, he accepted an offer to join Korean club Ulsan Hyundai on a 3-year deal for a sum of $300,000, which would be split evenly between Newcastle United and Brisbane Roars.
He featured in 4 matches for Ulsan Hyundai and on 13 June, he was released from Ulsan Hyundai. Petratos signed a two-year deal with Newcastle Jets after that and played for the Jets till 2020. He scored 21 and assisted 21 times in a total of 85 matches he played for the club.
In 2020, Petratos signed for Saudi Premier League outfit Al Wehda FC. He played a season for the club scoring 9 goals and assisting once in the 30 matches he played. Next season he was loaned out to A-League club Western Sydney Wanderers for the entirety of the 21/22 season. Dimitri scored 3 goals and recorded 2 assists in 23 appearances for the Wanderers last season.
Petratos has regularly featured for the Australia youth sides and also has 3 caps for the Socceroos senior national team. He was even called up to Australia’s final squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. In terms of club honours, Dimitri has won the A-League Premiership and Championship with Brisbane Roars during the 2013–14 season. Petratos even won the AFF U-19 Championship in 2010 while representing Australia.
How are things shaping up for Mariners ahead of the upcoming season?
Departures – Roy Krishna, David Williams, Bidyananda Singh, Sk Sahil, Prabir Das, and Michael Soosairaj.
Arrivals – Ashish Rai, Ashique Kuruniyan, Lalrinliana Hnamte, Vishal Kaith, Brendan Hamill, and Dimitri Petratos.
The Mariners have completed their foreign signings. The team looks quite balanced as well. But one doubt remains among the supporters’ minds on if Petratos can fill the void of a number 9 which was left by David Williams and Roy Krishna. Only time will tell the answer to that question but as of now, the Mainers look quite certain to fight till the end for 5 trophies next season. Even coach Juan Ferrando clarified his dream of helping the club win the AFC Cup, ISL Championship, ISL League Shield, Durand Cup, and Super Cup.
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