Date: November 24th 2009
Author: David Lewis
From: Herald Sun

MELBOURNE Heart has signed its first two players.

Newcastle Jets skipper Matt Thompson and Adelaide United and former Melbourne Victory midfielder Kristian Sarkies yesterday joined the new A-League club.

Chief executive Scott Munn last night refused to confirm either signing.
Heart has also made a $750,000 three-year offer to Sydney FC defender Simon Colosimo.
Colosimo's agent Leo Karis said last night: "There have been discussions and an offer for Simon has been tabled, but he will not be making any decisions until the end of the year."

Heart is also close to securing Central Coast defender Dean Heffernan.
Midfielder Thompson, 27, who has played 106 A-League games, is believed to have signed a two-year deal.

Sarkies, who scored in Victory's 2007 grand final win, has played 35 games in 2 1/2 injury-hit seasons with the Reds.

It is believed Heart manager John van't Schip's interest in former Victory defender Ljubo Milicevic has cooled.

MELBOURNE Victory fans will be able to get closer to their heroes for Saturday night's match against Gold Coast United.

Etihad Stadium's retractable seating will be shifted within metres of the sidelines.
It will be the first time the seats have been moved for a Victory game.

The configuration was used last month for the Socceroos-Oman Asian Cup qualifier.
"It's a first and it should be great for our fans," Victory chief executive Geoff Miles said.

"It's also an opportunity to showcase a potential World Cup venue in this configuration where the fans are close to the pitch."

- with Matt Windley

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/double-signing-a-heart-starter/story-e6frf9if-1225802918655