In a heartwarming development for Perth Glory supporters, fan favourite Stefan Colakovski has officially returned to the A-League Men club, signing a contract until the end of the current season. The popular winger's comeback marks the end of a challenging period, having been without a club for nearly a year after suffering a serious ACL injury.
A Long-Awaited Return to Purple
Colakovski has been training with Perth Glory during the latter stages of his rehabilitation, and his official re-signing represents a significant milestone in his recovery journey. The 25-year-old attacker expressed profound gratitude for the opportunity to don the purple jersey once again, emphasising his deep connection with the club and its passionate fan base.
"You can have people talk bad about the A-League and fan numbers from any angle, but I'll tell you now, I have been feeling the fan love from the moment I arrived at the club to now—even when I left, I still felt the love when I was at Wellington," Colakovski told The West Australian.
Overcoming Early Challenges
Colakovski's initial stint with Perth Glory presented some hurdles. During his first season, he managed just two appearances under former coach Ruben Zadkovich. However, his fortunes changed dramatically when Alen Stajcic took charge the following season, with Colakovski scoring six goals in 22 matches, endearing himself to supporters with his energetic performances.
"I had a bad first year when I came to Glory, and the fans stuck by me and I didn't want to leave because I wanted to pay them back," he reflected. "Personally, I could have done better, but I gave 150 per cent every game, and I felt the fans saw that and appreciated that. So now I'm back again, I want to repay that faith and be part of a winning team."
Rehabilitation and Gentleman's Agreement
The path to Colakovski's return involved careful planning and mutual trust. Discussions about a potential reunion began during the latter part of last season between the player and Glory's director of football, Stan Lazaridis. The pair reached a gentleman's agreement: Colakovski would complete his rehabilitation with the club, with the understanding that he would sign once medically cleared.
This arrangement allowed the winger to integrate back into the club environment while focusing on his recovery, creating a seamless transition back to professional football.
Excitement for the Future
Colakovski is targeting his first competitive match back this Sunday against Western Sydney Wanderers, which would mark his return to action since December 2024. The extended absence has given him renewed perspective on his football career.
"I feel very grateful, very excited, and I know it's all a little bit cliche, but being out for so long with a major injury gives you some time to reflect," he shared. "Being out of the game for so long, I'm so excited to be back on a pitch. You don't realize what you have until it's gone and all I've done is football, and played football my whole life."
He added with palpable enthusiasm: "It's been my only job, it's been my only hobby as a kid. I feel like a little kid again just excited to play his first game."
Reuniting with Familiar Faces
Colakovski's return also means reuniting with coach Adam Griffiths and co-captain Scott Wootton, both of whom he briefly worked with during his time at Wellington Phoenix. He expressed particular appreciation for their genuine excitement about his comeback.
"It feels very nice when you can sense a genuine excitement from them for me to be back playing and that means a lot," Colakovski said. "He (Griffiths) is a character, and myself, I love big characters. I love when people bring something different and unique. He makes you work hard and he makes you work for it and I feel like I haven't had that in a while, so I'm very excited to work with him."
This emotional return story represents more than just another player signing for Perth Glory. It embodies resilience, loyalty, and the special bond between a footballer and the club that believed in him through challenging times.
