Star Socceroo Robbie Kruse can envision the twilight of his career playing out with the Melbourne Victory.
The 26-year-old spent two seasons with the Victory in 2009 before making a career in Germany, moving to Fortuna Dusseldorf where he made 41 appearances before signing a three-year, €1.5-million deal with Bayer Leverkusen in 2013.
“Melbourne’s definitely my favourite place in Australia,” Kruse told the AAP on Tuesday.
“I definitely call it home now and I want to live here when I finish my career. I’d love to end it here with Melbourne Victory.
Kruse is finally fit after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee back in January and is in Melbourne for the Socceroos pre-Asian Cup training camp.
“Obviously my rehab went for about seven or eight months, so I felt that this tournament (was something) I was working towards the whole time,” he said.
“I see it as something where I can kind of right the wrong of not being able to go to the World Cup. This is going to be a big tournament for me to get back to where I was.”
After making his A-League debut with the Brisbane Roar in 2007 as a 19-year-old, Kruse spent two memorable years with the Victory, booting 16 goals in 39 matches.
“I have fond memories of AAMI Park and playing in front of the Victory fans – they’re definitely some of the best in the league.
“So hopefully they can pack the stadium here (for the game against Kuwait) and create a hostile environment.”
Australia kicks off its Asian Cup campaign against Kuwait on January 9 at AAMI Park, rebranded as Melbourne Rectangular Stadium for the tournament.
Photo: Mark Nolan/Getty Images.
