Brisbane Roar wishes to confirm talented youngsters, attacker Ayom Majok and uncompromising defender James Nikolovski have been upgraded to A-League Scholarship deals.
20-year-old Nikolovski joins the Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s squad, having played 12 NPL QLD games last season before quickly being promoted to A-League Men’s training where he has shown his qualities within an A-League environment.
Having sustained a hip injury early last season, Nikolovski was able to bounce back from injury in the second half of the season to be awarded NPL Player of the Year.
NPL Head Coach Chris Grossman is pleased to see more of his players being awarded with a professional contract.
“He’s a no-nonsense central defender.”
“As soon as he got fit, he was training with the A-League and hasn’t missed a beat.”
“He’s another one coming out of our Academy, which is pleasing and it’s nice to see kids like Jimmy give it everything he’s got and be rewarded with an opportunity,” Grossman said.
Signing his first professional contract, Nikolovski is now keen to continue working towards match minutes.
“I started training with Warren and the A-League team for five, six months and from then on, they offered me an upgrade which is what my family and I have been looking for,” Nikolovski said.
“We are just so grateful and ready to kick on at the club and keep going with it.”
“Tommy Aldred and Scott Neville have been really good mentors and the coaching staff have always helped me from day one.”
“I love learning from the older boys, they’re just so good with their bodies and how they take care of themselves. Just being in a professional environment has changed my life.”
Head Coach Warren Moon is excited to have two young prospects that he believes will bring fearlessness and determination to the squad.
“Especially James, he’s been with us for a while now, he’s shown great professionalism, so I am really pleased for him. They are just exciting young footballers with an opportunity,” Moon said.
Second scholarship signing, arriving on trial from Adelaide City, Majok signed an NPL youth development agreement with Brisbane Roar, before being called into Brisbane Roar’s Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s squad, making two appearances recently against Melbourne City and Newcastle Jets.
Previously Majok made one appearance for Western United.
“When I went back to Adelaide City from Western United, and the move came about if I would be interested in coming to Brisbane Roar, it didn’t take long for me to come here,” Majok said.
“It’s a club that I watched when I came to Australia and when I was growing up. I like the club and its history, and I want to be a part of it.”
“I’m trying to get used to it, the weather is a bit different and moving to a new team with new teammates. I’ve changed teams before, so I know what I can do, and I know what I come with,” the attacker added.
Speaking about both signings, Head Coach Warren Moon is excited to test these two prospects in the final months of the season.
“The next step is the hardest one, to try and now break A-League Men’s first team and I’m keen to see what they’ve got,” Moon said.
Majok will wear the No. 99 jersey, while Nikolovski will wear the No. 32 for the Brisbane Roar.
