Football
AAP 8y

Bruno Fornaroli signs for Melbourne City, urges Tim Cahill to join him

Tim Cahill or not, Melbourne City have secured a route to goals by signing up Bruno Fornaroli as a marquee for three A-League seasons.

And the Uruguayan has some advice to the Socceroo striker, who is mulling over a deal to join City as a guest player for the 2016-2017 campaign.

"Sign. I say sign," Fornaroli urged the Socceroo.

Fornaroli's signing, long suggested but cemented on Monday, secures one piece of a dream A-League striking partnership at City.

In the Uruguayan, they have a forward fresh from the best goal-scoring campaign the league has ever seen after he tallied 23 regular-season goals and 25 in all competitions last year.

Add in Cahill, the all-time leading Socceroos scorer, Fornaroli believes the club would have the ingredients for the success that has so far eluded City.

"If Tim comes, it's perfect. A big, big player for our team," he said. "I hope this. But I don't know if he signs or if he's coming."

Fornaroli said he didn't mind whether he was moved back into a No.10 role or out wide to accommodate Cahill, insisting "we can play together".

Whether or not he will get to depends on Cahill, who is reportedly close to an announcement and has undertaken a medical at City's affiliated club in New York.

Either way, City fans can look forward to three more years of Fornaroli, originally a speculative signing.

His scoring feats prompted suggestions the 28-year-old might try his hand in European leagues.

The goals also convinced City to make him one of the A-League's best-paid players and extend his stay.

Fornaroli, previously a journeyman who had not spent more than two seasons in a row at the same club or even country, said he never expected his stay in Melbourne would last four years.

"But this is football. Sometimes it is crazy," he said.

"I find here a very good club. They've helped me so much not only inside the pitch, also outside the pitch for me and my family.

"For this reason I am happy to re-sign and stay here.

Fornaroli confirmed interest from other clubs without elaborating.

Now he's out to reproduce or better his breakout season, saying he didn't feel the added expectations from setting the bar high or from his weighty new deal.

"It's a good contract," he said. "It's a big responsibility yes. But I don't feel pressure."

"Under Tony's tutelage most recently as the club's head coach and originally as head of youth development, many young Australian players have been exposed to the A-League," Storrie said.

"We wish him every success in the future."

^ Back to Top ^