Westfield FFA Cup semi-finalists Bentleigh Greens have pulled off a major coup, signing prolific Palm Beach Sharks striker Chris Lucas for the 2015 season.
In a timely boost ahead of the club’s semi-final against Perth Glory on Tuesday night, Lucas agreed to move to Kingston Heath in the hope of furthering his career and finding a spot at a Hyundai A-League club.
Lucas, who scored an incredible 35 goals in 26 games for the Sharks in 2014, was named the Queensland PS4 NPL MVP this season as the club won the championship as well as made the quarter-finals on the Westfield FFA Cup.
The 22-year-old revealed he also had offers to join VPL sides South Melbourne, Hume City and Port Melbourne but believes the Greens and working under coach John Anastasiadis is the best place to try and clinch an A-League deal.
“I had to have a pretty long think about all of it because it’s a massive move down to Melbourne and to leave everything here on the coast, but it’s what I have to do to further my career,” Lucas told the Football Queensland website.
“With Bentleigh they came up with the best offer. They have a good club, good facilities and a good side because obviously they are still in the FFA Cup semi-finals.
“I want to get back into the A-league. After being with Gold Coast United and getting one appearance against Sydney FC it gave me the hunger to go for more.
“Hopefully I will have a good season for Bentleigh next year and get my name out there and get looked at again by some A-League clubs.”
Lucas has had a taste of the Hyundai A-League but was left without a club once Gold Coast United folded in early 2012.
His signing will add some much needed firepower to the Greens who saw regular strikers Brent McGrath and David Stirton leave the club during the 2014 season to move overseas.