Macarthur FC have bolstered their already impressive attacking line-up with the signing of Georgian international striker Bachana Arabuli.
The 28-year-old joins the Bulls after signing a deal for the 2022/23 Isuzu Ute A-League Men’s season, with the option to extend his stay until 2024.
A powerful and mobile centre-forward, Arabuli moves to the South West Sydney club from the Greek Super League where he spent the past three seasons with PAS Lamia and Panionios in Athens. He made 66 appearances in the top flight of Greece, scoring 14 goals while building a reputation for finding the net from distance and in acrobatic fashion.
Arabuli previously enjoyed stints in Hungary with Balmazujvaros and Puskas Akademia as well as in his homeland with Georgian powerhouse Dinamo Tbilisi. Since making his international debut in 2017, Arabuli went on to make seven appearances for Georgia.
“He’s coming in with a terrific goal scoring record. He’s someone we looked at. We like his style, he’s unique, he’s left footed so he gives us a bit of a different dimension,” Macarthur head coach Dwight Yorke said.
“We feel that he will be another good addition to our squad and that makes us more competitive in all areas of the pitch. We want to create a healthy competition among the players and having Arabuli here will certainly do that,” Yorke said.
He joins a Bulls attack that has emerged as the joint best in the final rounds of the Australia Cup this season, having found the net 12 times on their march to the semi-final of the knockout competition.
“We are delighted to have Bachana join us for the next two seasons. He brings a wealth of experience to our team having played top flight football for his entire career and having played international football,” Macarthur FC chief executive Sam Krslovic said.
“His style adds a point of difference to our attack and that is going to entertain Bulls fans this season.”
The chance to work under Yorke was one of the motivations for Arabuli to leave Europe and join Macarthur.
“I am very excited to join the Bulls this season and I can’t wait to get started,” Arabuli said. “It will be a fantastic opportunity to play in Australia and learn from one of the greatest strikers, Dwight Yorke.”
