BALLARAT Red Devils have been the biggest movers and shakers thus far in the mid-season transfer window.
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The opening week of action has seen the club land returning sons David King and Sean Harding alongside exciting striker Deng Aguek in a bid to stabilise its National Premier Leagues Victoria season.
Defenders King and Harding were recruited from NPLV rivals Dandenong Thunder and Green Gully while Aguek caught the Red Devils’ eye with several promising displays with Western Suburbs in the men’s state league one division.
King, a former Red Devils captain and best and fairest winner in the state league series of 2012, is excited to be back on familiar territory after a mixed bag in his stint with the Thunder.
The 23-year-old was a first choice player in the opening few rounds but missed several weeks with a rolled ankle and was red carded in his first match back from injury.
He rebounded to score the first goal of the round 10 encounter between the Red Devils and the Thunder.
“It was a good feeling at the time, but then I was in two minds because of the connection with the Red Devils,” King said of the goal.
“I’m pretty excited to jump on board with a lot of my old teammates – it’s a really disciplined outfit and the club is probably a lot more professional than most of the Melbourne-based sides.”
King’s brother Charlie is the current captain of the Red Devils, while younger sibling James made NPLV history earlier in the season by taking to the pitch as a 15-year-old, in the same round 10 encounter between the Red Devils and the Thunder.
Meanwhile, Harding has been one of Green Gully’s best contributors this season.
The robust defender and brother of Ballarat’s Liam will provide a calming influence down back and help tighten the Red Devils defence.
Aguek looms as a potential replacement for abroad danger man Dom Swinton and has impressed with his first few training sessions in the Reds shirt.
Red Devils player manager James Robinson believes all three have the potential to make an immediate impact at senior level.
“We need depth - we need to add more quality because we have a youthful squad,” Robinson said.
“We’ve had a really positive week so far and it’s exciting for the club.”
The Red Devils will face off against Bentleigh Greens in round 14 action on Saturday.