This was published 10 years ago
A-League stars set to shine in 2015/16
Jeffrey Sarpong
Age: 27-year-oldPosition: Attacking midfield
Club: Wellington Phoenix
Keep a watch: Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick pulled a rabbit out of the hat to lure former Netherlands youth international Jeffrey Sarpong to Wellington. Playing in some of Europe's best leagues, the attacker could go a long way to replacing reigning Johnny Warren medallist Nathan Burns.
Carl Valeri
Age: 31-year-oldPosition: Defensive midfield
Club: Melbourne Victory
Keep a watch: Victory will be relying heavily on Carl Valeri this season to fill the sizeable void left by Socceroo Mark Milligan. The duo steered the club's engine room last season but now Valeri, a former Australian international himself, has been elevated to chief enforcer.
Filip Holosko
Age: 31-year-oldPosition: Striker
Club: Sydney FC
Keep a watch: How do you replace 16-goal hero Marc Janko and exciting Aussie Bernie Ibini-Isei? Simple. Sign Slovakia international Filip Holosko. The club's new marquee has destroyed defences wherever he has travelled, including 42 goals in 144 appearances for Turkish giants Besiktas.
Eugene Galekovic
Age: 34-year-oldPosition: Goalkeeper
Club: Adelaide United
Keep a watch: A three-time goalkeeper of the year, Eugene Galekovic has proved time and time again to be the difference between victory and defeat for the Reds. And with a milestone 200 appearances for the club on the radar, don't expect anything different this season.
Aaron Mooy
Age: 25-year-oldPosition: Midfield
Club: Melbourne City
Keep a watch: Could this be the last we see of Aaron Mooy in the A-League? The former Wanderer has been in scintillating form for both club and country, and with every spectacular strike better than the last, the set-piece specialist is surely on the radar of a big overseas club.
Jamie Maclaren
Age: 22-year-oldPosition: Striker
Club: Brisbane Roar
Keep a watch: Brisbane Roar's worst on-field problem last season? They never replaced gun slinger Besart Berisha. And with that in mind, the club chased, and captured, Glory's exciting youngster Jamie Maclaren, who made his intentions clear with an eight-goal salvo in a pre-season match.
Diego Castro
Age: 33-year-oldPosition: Winger
Club: Perth Glory
Keep a watch: It was the season to forget for the Perth Glory – salary cap scandal, docked points and a squad ripped apart. But from the ashes of every calamity comes the hope of redemption and the club believe they have found that in new marquee, Spaniard Diego Castro.
Anthony Caceres
Age: 23-year-oldPosition: Attacking Midfield
Club: Central Coast Mariners
Keep a watch: The Mariners have built a reputation for nurturing the A-League's hottest young talent and in Anthony Caceres, they may have unearthed another gem. A blaze of trickery and skill, expect Caceres to mark his stamp on the competition this season.
Dario Vidosic
Age: 28-year-oldPosition: Attacking midfield
Club: Western Sydney Wanderers
Keep a watch: The Wanderers snapped up the fringe Socceroo after a successful stint in Switzerland where he scored eight goals in 46 appearances for FC Sion. Vidosic has much to prove, especially to Australia boss Ange Postecoglou, and he'll be hoping to do just that in the red and black.
Nigel Boogaard
Age: 29-year-oldPosition: Defender
Club: Newcastle Jets
Keep a watch: Nigel Boogaard returns to where he's football journey began – and not a moment too soon for the Newcastle Jets. Boogard was a rock for Adelaide United over the past five campaigns and the Jets will be hoping he can spark the same steel in last season's worst defence.
