Perth Glory have signed Lions FC centre-back Cher Deng on a two-year deal, making the 21-year-old defender their first recruit since Adam Taggart’s departure.
Deng impressed against Glory in July, helping the NPL Queensland side knock the A-League club out of the Australia Cup. Lions have since continued their run in the competition and reached the semi-finals.
The 1.94-metre defender has been a key figure in Lions’ dominant domestic campaign, with the club finishing eight points clear at the top of the NPL Queensland table.
He also featured in Australia Cup victories over North Sunshine Eagles and Melbourne City, winning 83 per cent of his aerial duels across those matches while recording 30 clearances and 40 defensive contributions.
Deng previously came through the Central Coast Mariners academy before spending a season with Balestier Khalsa in Singapore’s top flight. He said securing another opportunity in full-time professional football was a proud moment for him and his family.
“It’s a proud moment for myself and my family and I just can’t wait to get into the work and get started,” Deng said.
“I want to be able to test myself and see if I can prove myself at full-time professional level again.
“I’m a very passionate player, I’m looking forward to playing for the club and I’m going to give everything for the colours and the city.”
Perth football director Stan Lazaridis believes Deng can develop into an important player for Glory and complement the club’s existing central defenders Scott Wootton, Brian Kaltak, Lachlan Jackson and Andriano Lebib.
“We’re thrilled to have got Cher on board,” Lazaridis said. “He was a standout performer when we played Lions FC in the Cup and again when they played Melbourne City and his NPL form this year has been just as outstanding.”
“As well as his physical presence, he’s also very mobile and a good distributor and at 21, he very much fits our player profile.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that Cher can be a big player for us going forward and we’re excited to add him to the group.”
