From Socceroos to A-League champions: The biggest signings shaking up the Australian Championship
There will be some serious quality running around when the 2026 Australian Championship gets underway this week. The second instalment of the competition kicks off on Thursday, and clubs have been busy strengthening their squads for a shot at national silverware.
From former Socceroos, A-League champions and highly-rated youngsters, a host of stars are preparing for the national second-tier, which continues to attract players with experience at the highest level. AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP IS BACK:Four new clubs, a fresh twist and everything to know about the 2026 tournament Among the headline signings are New Zealand international Kosta Barbarouses and Socceroos pair Luke Brattan and Dimitri Petratos, adding to a cohort of players which also includes Paulo Retre, Blake Carpenter, Filip Kurto, Luca Tevere, Sebastian Pasquali, Ryan Scott, Adrian Vlastelica and Nicholas Olsen.
Reigning NPL VIC champions Avondale FC have made nine signings, while Victorian premiers Oakleigh Cannons, Preston Lions and Bayswater City have added players with professional and international pedigrees. Here are some of the biggest signings heading into the Australian Championship.
Kosta Barbarouses (South Melbourne) One of the A-League's most decorated players has joined reigning champions South Melbourne, just months after gracing the FIFA World Cup stage. Barbarouses arrives at Lakeside Stadium following his spell with Western Sydney Wanderers, bringing four A-League Championships and a wealth of experience from across Australian football.
The 36-year-old also represented New Zealand at this year's World Cup in North America, adding another dimension to South Melbourne's side that already boasts the likes of Sebastian Pasquali, Paulo Retre, Marco Jankovic and Hassan Ramazani. Luke Brattan (Sydney Olympic) Sydney Olympic have made a major statement with the signing of former Sydney FC and Macarthur FC star Brattan.
A multiple A-League Championship and Premiership winner, Brattan made more than 300 appearances in the competition and was called into the Socceroos squad in 2024, making his long-awaited international debut. The 36-year-old, who departed Macarthur at the end of 2025-26, brings serious pedigree to Olympic.
His arrival is among several high-profile additions at Olympic, who are rebuilding after relegation from NPL NSW. Dimitri Petratos (Sydney Olympic) Former Socceroo Petratos is another major acquisition for Sydney Olympic.
The experienced attacker represented Brisbane Roar, Newcastle Jets and Western Sydney Wanderers before moving overseas, including a successful spell with Indian giants Mohun Bagan Super Giant. Petratos, who earned three senior international caps for Australia, reunites with brother Kosta at Olympic and has been handed the captain's armband.
Panos Armenakas (Avondale FC) Once regarded as one of the world's most exciting young footballers, Armenakas has joined reigning Victorian champions Avondale. The former Australian youth international developed through the academy systems of Watford and Udinese and was previously named among the world's 50 best young players by The Guardian.