Melbourne City bag Portuguese defender as Delbridge departs

Melbourne City have moved swiftly to fill the void left the departure of Harrison Delbridge, with a mystery defender from Portugal already in quarantine waiting to be unveiled imminently.

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Last month’s exit of Austrian stopper Richard Windbichler, and now the dependable Delbridge, has left City thin at the back ahead of their third match of the new season against Western United on Sunday week.

Delbridge, who made 60 A-League appearances for City across three seasons, posted an image of a South Korean visa stamp on his Instagram account today, with K1 League side Incheon United believed to have made him an offer.

Incheon narrowly escaped the drop last year and are rebuilding for the upcoming season.

Delbridge has also been linked with Singapore Premier League side Lion City Sailors, who are coached Socceroos assistant and Adelaide United coach Aurelio Vidmar.

The towering 28-year-old centre-back rejected a contract extension at City to pursue the Asian move.

City’s Portuguese import is understood to possess a high pedigree as coach Patrick Kisnorbo looks to shore up at the back following the 2-0 weekend loss to Adelaide United.

He will slot in alongside Curtis Good with emergency defender Rostyn Griffiths expected to return to his natural position in midfield.

Melbourne City and the Lion City Sailors were contacted for comment.