Sydney FC to continue revamp with Brillante

Sydney FC are tipped to sign fringe Australia international midfielder Josh Brillante, who was last seen in the A-League at Newcastle Jets before a short-lived stint playing for Serie A club Fiorentina.

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The World Game understands that, as of Tuesday night, an announcement on Brillante’s future is not far away.

The Sky Blues need to fill a hole in midfield after the release of Mickael Tavares, who subsequently joined Central Coast Mariners.

Brillante, now 23, made a celebrated move from the Jets to Fiorentina at the end of the 2013-2014 season, but after a promising start it didn’t work out.

He made his Serie A debut in season 2014-2015 against AS Roma, but was substituted after 35 minutes. He made one more appearance for Fiorentina before being loaned to fellow Serie A outfit Empoli, where he played just one game before being loaned out again, this time to Serie B club Como.

Brillante played 21 games for Como in season 2015-2016, including nine as a starter.

Sydney had a major player cleanout after missing the A-League finals last season, with Tavares, Jacques Faty, Andrew Hoole, Chris Naumoff, Robert Stambolziev, Riley Woodcock and Zac Anderson among those released.

The rebuild is in progress, with Australia international centre-back Alex Wilkinson and former international Michael Zullo, who can handle wing or fullback, among those already signed, both from Melbourne City.