Essendon Royals sign Will Abbott

Towering defender Will Abbott has signed for Essendon Royals ahead of the 2022 campaign.

Arriving from Moreland City, the defender arrives at Cross Keys Reserve with a wealth of knowledge and experience to the club.

Having made over 70 appearances in the top-flight of Victorian football, Abbott has represented the likes of Moreland Zebras, Pascoe Vale and Bulleen Lions in the top-tier of NPL Victoria competition, as well as Moreland City in the second tier.

With a new challenge ahead of him at the Royals in the incredibly competitive State League 1 North-West competition, Abbott said he was excited to get on the park and represent his new side.

“It’s been a good start. It looks like we have a quality squad coming into this year so I look forward to having a productive year and getting some good results,” he said.

“I’ve never played in this league before, so it’s a new challenge and I know that it’s going to be very competitive.

“It’s going to deliver a lot of different types of contests, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Having previously worked with Vitale Ferrante at Pascoe Vale in 2013, Abbott said he was looking forward to working with Ferrante and the likes of Davey Van’t Schip and Matteo Ballan once again.

“I know a few of the boys, so I’m familiar with these guys which make settling in a bit easier,” he said.

Abbott is the second new face in the Royals camp, following on from the signing of Anthony Ramzy.

He joins re-signed players Van’t Schip, Ballan, Graham Kelly, Ryan McEvoy, Michael Stark, Leigh Minopoulos, Kristian Konstantinidis, Mario Piraino, Michael Ferrante and Luca Santilli.