Melbourne City add Macklin Freke to their goalkeeping group

Melbourne City have signed goalkeeper Macklin Freke on a two-year contract. The Australian arrives after spending more than a decade with Brisbane Roar. He has already joined City’s squad for pre-season training.

Freke progressed through Brisbane’s academy before making seventy-five senior appearances. He later became the club’s first-choice goalkeeper. Brisbane named him its player of the year after a strong recent campaign.

A long Brisbane chapter has ended

Freke learned his position inside Brisbane’s youth structure. He then moved through reserve football and into the senior squad. That path gave coaches years of evidence before he became the regular goalkeeper.

Freke leaves Brisbane after seventy-five senior appearances. He worked as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper and won its player-of-the-year award. Melbourne receive a player already familiar with A-League travel and opposition.

The player-of-the-year award followed his most consistent season in Brisbane’s goal. It reflected performances across the campaign rather than one isolated match. Melbourne now receive a goalkeeper entering his strongest professional years.

The transfer also creates the first permanent club change of his senior career. Freke leaves a familiar environment for a squad with different build-up demands. Pre-season gives him time to learn those details.

City value his work with the ball

Director of football Michael Petrillo highlighted Freke’s calm work with the ball. He also praised the goalkeeper’s reading of play. Those qualities were central to City’s explanation of the signing.

Freke’s Brisbane record also includes regular shot stopping and penalty-area work. City reviewed those performances before offering a two-year deal. The club described him as a calm presence for its defensive unit.

Director of football Michael Petrillo described him as calm and assured. He also pointed to Freke’s ability to read the game. Those qualities fit a team that wants controlled possession from the back.

City have used goalkeepers as active passing options in recent seasons. Freke arrives with experience of receiving the ball under pressure. His first training sessions will introduce the movements used by his new defenders.

Freke’s final Brisbane season followed a long rise through the club’s academy. He moved from youth football to the senior bench before becoming the regular starter. The player-of-the-year award recognised that completed progression.

Competition now has three names

Freke joins James Nieuwenhuizen and Lachie Charles in the senior goalkeeping group. Melbourne have not announced a fixed order between them. Training and match performance will shape the selection.

Freke joins James Nieuwenhuizen and Lachie Charles in City’s senior group. Patrick Beach left earlier in the week for French club Troyes. The two transactions changed the goalkeeper department before the new campaign.

Freke has the largest senior appearance total among the three goalkeepers. Nieuwenhuizen and Charles were already part of City’s plans. Petrillo said the new arrival would strengthen competition within the group.

The first cup match comes quickly

Melbourne open their season away to Weston Bears in the Australia Cup. The match comes during Freke’s first week at the club. City included him in the group preparing for that trip.

Freke joined training after the transfer was completed. Goalkeeping coach Aurelio Vidmar and the wider staff began his introduction to the squad. The club has several sessions before the cup tie.

The move ends Freke’s decade-long association with Brisbane Roar. He developed in their academy before becoming the senior starter. Melbourne City is the second A-League club of his career.

No starting promise appeared in the transfer announcement. City described stronger competition across the goalkeeping group. That wording leaves the cup selection open to the coaching staff.

The transfer ends a decade at Brisbane

The agreement covers the next two seasons. Freke said City’s record for improving players influenced his decision. He also described the standards he saw after arriving at training.

Freke joins at twenty-seven with a full season as Brisbane’s player of the year behind him. City signed him for immediate senior competition. The contract is complete and does not depend on another transfer step.

Freke said he had already noticed the standards inside the club. He welcomed work with Aurelio Vidmar, Sander Boschker and his new teammates. The goalkeeper joined the squad immediately after signing.

Melbourne have filled the place opened by Beach’s departure with proven domestic experience. Freke brings seventy-five senior appearances and Brisbane’s player-of-the-year award. His two-year City contract is already active.