First Uskok. Now Brillante. Bankstown are building something serious

Bankstown City Lions are not hiding their ambition following the arrival of Joshua Brillante.

Days after securing former Macarthur Bulls defender Tomislav Uskok, the Football NSW League One club have pulled off another major coup, signing five-time Australia international Brillante on a two-year deal.

The experienced midfielder arrives from A-League outfit Western Sydney Wanderers and becomes the latest high-profile addition to a club determined to push towards the top level of NSW football.

“I could see from the outside there’s been a lot of quality players from across Sydney who’ve come to the club,” Brillante told Bankstown.

“The project was looking exciting. Nick was telling me a lot about the culture of the club and how it’s very family orientated.”

Brillante brings one of the most decorated resumes in the competition.

The 32-year-old won two A-League Premierships and two Championships during his time with Sydney FC, forming part of one of the most successful domestic sides of the modern era.

He also lifted the Australia Cup with Melbourne Victory and earned five caps for the Socceroos.

His career has also taken him overseas. Italian giants Fiorentina signed Brillante from Newcastle Jets in 2014, before he spent further time in Italy with Empoli and Como.

Now, after spells with Melbourne City, Melbourne Victory and Western Sydney Wanderers, he is heading to Jensen Park.

The signing comes shortly after Bankstown landed Uskok, who made 143 appearances for Macarthur and won the Australia Cup twice during his time in South West Sydney.

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Together, the arrivals mark a significant statement from Bankstown.

For a club competing in Football NSW League One, adding two players with extensive A-League experience and proven records of success is no ordinary recruitment window.

This is a club with history. A sleeping giant of the NSW game. Bankstown haven’t played in the state’s top flight since 2011. They even spent four seasons in the third division between 2018 and 2022.

Bankstown City are third in Football NSW League One - six points behind leaders Blacktown Spartans and one point adrift of Northern Tigers.