GMBHA Stadium gives the green and black light to Western United

THE A-League’s newest club will be based in Geelong for its first two years, with Western United FC finalising its deal at GMHBA Stadium.

Western United is building a 15,000-seat stadium in Tarneit but in the meantime will play as many as eight games at GMHBA Stadium between October and February under the deal with the Kardinia Park Stadium Trust, announced on Monday.

Kardinia Park Stadium Trust chair Michael Malouf said the trust looked forward to welcoming Western United and its supporters in green and black when the 2019/20 A-League season kicked off in October.

“This is another stage in the evolution of Kardinia Park as the premier regional sports and entertainment facility in Australia.

“To house the new Victorian team in the growing Hyundai A-League is good for our stadium, good for the club and good for the people of Geelong and surrounds.”

The Kardinia Park Stadium Trust is working with its present tenants, including the Geelong Football Club, to ensure the needs of existing partners will be maintained.

“Each sporting code has different requirements, and we are already working well with the Western United club to make sure their match and event day requirements exceed everyone’s expectations,” Mr Malouf said.

Western United is busily building a team and staff ahead of its A-League debut, signing Greek international Panagiotis Kone as its first marquee player and Socceroos defender Josh Risdon as its first Australian player.