Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Paul Smith/SWQ Thunder FC

Brisbane City have secured the services of former Brisbane Roar Youth midfielder Luke Pavlou for the PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland 2016 season.

The 19-year-old becomes the club’s sixth off-season signing - the most of any PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland club to date - as they prepare to return to the top of the pile in Queensland’s elite club competition.

Pavlou made 26 appearances for Young Roar over the past two PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland campaigns in addition to two seasons in the Foxtel National Youth League.

He also made two appearances as a substitute for Roar in the Hyundai A-League in the final rounds of the 2014/2015 season under then coach Frans Thijssen.

Pavlou said he was excited to be joining City after being amongst a dozen players recently released by Young Roar and described his early impressions of his new club as like a family.

“City approached me and they showed a lot of value in me early on and that really appealed to me because I want to be at a club that values me as a player,” he explained.

Pavlou said while the presence of former Hyundai A-League coach John Kosmina at City for the next three seasons was a plus, it wasn’t crucial to his decision and he isn’t prioritising a return to the national top tier at this stage.

“I’m not going into it thinking John Kosmina can do for me outside of City, I’m going there because I think he can develop me as a player this season.”

He added, “My mindset has changed a bit recently and I am taking it season by season. Whatever happens in the future happens but I am just concentrating on having a good season for City.”

However, Pavlou conceded he was excited at the possibility of competing in the Westfield FFA Cup for the first time.

“I’m looking forward to it because I’ve never played in the FFA Cup before and the prospect of versing interstate clubs is very exciting for me,” he concluded.