Oakleigh have landed two exciting young forwards and their backstories are worth knowing

Oakleigh Cannons have continued their impressive recruitment drive ahead of the Australian Championship, adding former Melbourne City and Perth Glory attacker Arion Sulemani and highly-rated Western United product Mark Leonard.

The two young forwards arrive at Jack Edwards Reserve as the reigning NPL Victoria premiers strengthen their squad for the national competition, following the recent signing of Young Socceroos goalkeeper Lachie Charles.

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Sulemani, 21, brings A-League experience to Oakleigh after progressing through Melbourne City's academy and making his senior debut against Newcastle Jets in October 2024.

The Melbourne-born attacker was part of City's 2024-25 A-League Championship-winning campaign before moving to Perth Glory, where he scored his maiden A-League goal against Macarthur FC in April 2026.

A former Australia Under-20 representative, Sulemani offers Oakleigh pace, physicality and attacking versatility as the Cannons prepare to test themselves on the national stage.

He is joined by Leonard, another promising young forward who developed through Western United's academy system and earned opportunities around the club's senior setup.

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Leonard, the brother of Australian football sensation Dylan Leonard, made headlines in 2025 when he scored a hat-trick against Kingston City in VPL1.

The centre-forward's arrival adds another exciting attacking option for Oakleigh, who have now recruited three emerging talents with backgrounds in A-League development pathways.

Oakleigh will face NPL QLD champions Lions FC, NPL NSW powerhouse Rockdale Ilinden and South Australian outfit Campbelltown City in Group C of the Australian Championship, with the Cannons looking to carry their NPL Victoria premiership-winning form onto the national stage.