Socceroo Ryan Teague has signed a three-year deal with Belgian club KV Mechelen from Melbourne Victory, opting against interest from Wrexham and Gent.
Mechelen have a strong recent record, finishing inside the Belgian Pro League’s top eight in five of the past six seasons, after regaining top-flight status in 2019.
The Belgian club announced the move earlier this week, with Teague citing their ambition.
“I immediately felt good at this club,” he said. “After talking to the coach and the sporting director, it quickly became clear that this club suits me.
“KVM clearly has the ambition to achieve something. I have that ambition too. I recently played my first matches for the national team. With the World Cup just around the corner, I don’t want to miss the opportunity to go to the World Cup in the USA.”
Mechelen sporting director Tom Caluwe was thrilled to land the 23-year-old midfielder.
Caluwe said: “Ryan Teague has ambition, just like us. He was very attracted by the project that we presented to him. I am sincerely happy that we can add him to our core. He has a very nice profile and potential to grow together with our club.”
Aussie boy in the house 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/TBxtu98t5s
— KV Mechelen (@kvmechelen) July 1, 2025
Nectar Triantis’ future remains uncertain, having returned to newly promoted Premier League club Sunderland following his excellent loan spell with Scottish club Hibernian last term.
Triantis is contracted with the Black Cats for another two years, but is unlikely to earn first-team football in England’s top flight. The Scottish club are keen to retain his services, likely on loan but Sunderland are yet to make a final call and Hibs boss David Gray has come out in the media saying they’re keen for an answer.
“I think it’s like anything, you don’t want to just be waiting around,” Gray said. “We’ve got a clear plan of what we need to do. We’re not just going to sit here and pin our hopes on a player deciding what he wants to do. We’ve made our interests very clear. Everybody’s aware of that.
“Nectar was clearly a loan player last season as well. We were always going to be at this point, depending on if it went well or not. It’s always going to be something that’s never going to happen overnight just purely because of how well he’s done.
“He’s going to attract a lot of interest. His parent club have just been promoted to the Premier League so they’re going through a bit of a transition as to what their plan is going to be moving forward.”
Nectar Triantis remains Hibs top transfer target but David Gray warns he’s not their only option as wait window closeshttps://t.co/j8DfZSrpqS pic.twitter.com/JNZzrzVxKR
— Daily Record Sport (@Record_Sport) July 3, 2025
Speculation still lingers about a return to Portsmouth for Australian midfielder Alex Robertson, following Cardiff City’s relegation.
Pompey boss John Mousinho said this week: “Speaking about Alex hypothetically, I would never have an issue re-signing a player we’ve had previously. If there is any situation he becomes available, then I am sure we would have a conversation.”
In the Netherlands, Max Balard is attracting interest but his Dutch club NAC Breda aren’t keen on selling him at this stage, with technical director Peter Maas calling it “non negotiable”.
Balard told ESPN this week: “I’m not thinking about it (a transfer). I focus on NAC and another year in the Eredivisie. I’m here now.”
Australian-Italian midfielder Cristian Volpato is drawing interest from Serie A club Torino but also Serie B outfit Pisa.
Volpato’s Sassuolo earned promotion back to Serie A this season, having won the Serie B title but there are doubts about him staying at the club.
Last week, Mat Ryan was linked with his former Danish club FC Copenhagen with a move away from French outfit Lens seeming likely.
It’s also been reported that English Premier League club Fulham are keen on Ryan although likely as a back-up to Bernd Leno which may not appeal.
In competitive action, Thomas Deng was the standout performer in Yokohama F. Marinos’ 1-0 derby win over Yokohama FC on Saturday in Japan’s J1 League. Deng put in a full shift in the centre of defence.
Mitch Duke went unused as Machida Zelvia eased past Shimizu S-Pulse 3-0.
In Korea’s K League 2, John Iredale played a full game but didn’t score in Seoul E-Land’s 2-1 loss at Cheongju Jikji.
In the MLS, Kye Rowles played a full game and helped his side keep a clean sheet in DC United’s 0-0 home draw with Atlanta.
Patrick Yazbek started and played 90 minutes before being replaced in stoppage time in Nashville’s 1-0 victory over Philadelphia Union.
Aiden O’Neill put in a full shift as New York City beat Toronto 3-1 on Friday, while Brad Smith was a 73rd minute sub for Cincinnati in their 2-1 win over Chicago Fire.
