A-LEAGUE MEN: Former Serie A midfielder Leo Sena joins Sydney FC
Sydney FC have found their replacement for recently departed captain Luke Brattan with the arrival of Brazilian midfielder Léo Sena.
The 28-year-old has joined the Sky Blues on a two-year deal from Brazilian fourth-tier side Água Santa, although the holding midfielder has past experience in the Brazilian and Italian top tiers.
Sena spent time out of football due to cardiac issues during the COVID-19 pandemic, spending the most recent period of his career rebuilding fitness. The former Venezia man played sixteen games in Serie A prior to the “medical irregularities” which resulted in the Brazilian playing just 23 league games between 2021 and 2024.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.While certainly not a household name, manager Ufuk Talay has backed his new man to make an impact.
“He is a great age for us and will give our young players the benefit of his experience.
“He has a fantastic engine for a midfielder, he keeps the ball incredibly well, makes quick, early decisions, and has an excellent range of passing.”
Sena is the ninth Brazilian to play for Sydney since the A-League began, with last season seeing both Fábio Gomes and Gabriel Lacerda at the club on loan.
Once valued at AU$17,000,000 by Fiorentina before the transfer fell through due to the pandemic, Sena has a chance to rebuild his career in Australia in what he described as a “highly competitive” league.
“It’s a great opportunity for me to play for a great club in a highly competitive league,” he said.
The holding midfielder noted the young talent currently in the squad, with Sydney’s football strategy drastically shifting from star power to development factory due to the cash-strapped realities of the A-League.
“We have some exciting young stars as well as some smart, more experienced players, and I think it’s a great mix to challenge for silverware.”
Sydney remain on the hunt for a foreign striker, which The Nightly understands is next in line for the club to announce. Talay is expected to use his final squad spots on a central defender as well as another player in the attacking third.
Sydney FC will also learn their opponents for the Asian Champions League 2 on Friday evening, as they look to break out of the group stage of continental competition for the first time since 2016.
