One in, one out and one staying put.
It has been a busy few weeks for Melbourne City - still yet to announce their new coach for the next A-League campaign - who confirmed on Friday they had signed a new goalkeeper, retained one midfielder and let another one depart.
The goalkeeper in question is one of the best known in the country, former Adelaide United stalwart and title-winning captain Eugene Galekovic.
The keeper, who was part of the Socceroos squad in World Cups in South Africa and Brazil, has inked a two-year deal to move back to his home state.
He becomes one of a number of City players who at some point in their career had a spell at cross-town rivals Melbourne Victory.
Galekovic was Victory's goalkeeper when the A-League kicked off, sharing the spot with Brisbane Roar's multiple A-League champion Michael Theoklitos.
Galekovic was in goal for Victory in their first A-League game, a 1-1 draw with Sydney. He was Adelaide's No.1 last season, so he is one of the very few links left to the opening year of the competition still playing in it.
The 36-year-old grew up in Melbourne (having made his senior debut for Gippsland based Eastern Pride in the old NSL) and had a 10-year stint in Adelaide.
"To have the opportunity to return home and continue my career in Melbourne is very exciting and hopefully I can use my experience to push City to even greater heights," he said.
Anthony Caceres, who made 30 appearances in all competitions for the club last season, is staying put. He will remain with the Bundoora-based team after extending his loan deal from parent club Manchester City for a further season.
The "out" is midfielder Paulo Retre, who has agreed with the club to mutually terminate the final year of his contract.
The 24-year-old, who also started at Victory, made 54 league appearances for City across five seasons after making his debut in the 2012/13 season. He only scored one goal for City, but it was memorable enough, having come in the Melbourne derby in December 2015.
Meanwhile, the Socceroos are sleeping soundly after completing a marathon 30-hour transit to Sochi for the Confederations Cup, making them the last of the eight teams competing in the tournament to arrive in Russia.
Their opponents on Tuesday (AEST), world champions Germany, narrowly beat Australia into the coastal city earlier on Thursday.
It's a daunting prospect for a team beaten 4-0 by Brazil on its last outing, but coach Ange Postecoglou has not lost faith in his charges, declaring his aim is to win the tournament.
Meanwhile, for a rare moment this weekend, football's brightest lights will shine on New Zealand, and the minnows are vowing not to disappoint.
The Kiwis face hosts Russia in the Confederations Cup opener in Saint Petersburg at 5am on Sunday.
"It's a special occasion," said star winger Marco Rojas, from Melbourne Victory.
- With AAP
