Blues striker Ben Folami has completed his move to Australian A-League side Melbourne Victory on loan until the end of the season.

Town manager Paul Lambert confirmed a fortnight ago that a deal that would see the 21-year-old join the Victory back in his home country was close to being done.

“It’s a great opportunity for him,” he said. “I think he knows the coach there [Grant Brebner], I think it’s good for him that he’ll play competitive football week in, week out, I think that’s important for any kid’s development.”

Folami, who scored his first senior goal in the recent 2-0 EFL Trophy victory over Gillingham, is contracted to Town until next summer with the deal likely to include the usual one-year option.

The frontman has made four first-team starts and three sub appearances for the Blues. He spent a short spell on loan at Stevenage at the end of last season playing two games from the bench before the campaign was curtailed.

“I’m very happy to have signed with Melbourne Victory this season,” Folami told his new loan club’s website.

“Victory is one of the biggest clubs in the country, they have such a big membership and fan base and obviously a very proud history of success.

“Speaking to Grant, he outlined a very clear vision he has for the team to get them back up the table.

“I’m extremely excited for the opportunity to play under him, I can’t wait to start training with the team and putting in the hard work to make sure we’re ready to compete this season.”

Brebner added: “We are delighted to welcome Ben to Melbourne Victory. We believe Ben is a very talented young striker with a bright future ahead of him. He works hard on and off the pitch and will add depth to our forward stocks this season.

“The squad is preparing well, and the likes of Ben, Jacob Butterfield, Callum McManaman, Nick Ansell, Jake Brimmer and Max Crocombe will help the squad build the competitive environment on and off the pitch we believe will help us get back up the table.”

Folami is set to join the Victory squad in Doha in late November when they recommence their 2020 AFC Champions League campaign. The A-League is currently set to start on December 27th.

The striker was a member of the Olyroos squad - the Australian U23s squad - which qualified for the Olympics which were due to be held in Tokyo this summer but have been postponed until 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The move to the Victory will allow coach Graham Arnold to watch him in action on a regular basis ahead of the Games.

Photo: Matchday Images

ArnieM added 09:05 - Oct 29 Good luck Ben 👍
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raycrawfordswig added 09:22 - Oct 29 God luck Ben put in a good word for us.
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raycrawfordswig added 09:24 - Oct 29 Good *
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Linkboy13 added 09:33 - Oct 29 Shame he couldn't have gone on loan somewhere closer to home. Got a feeling he won't be returning, but like a lot of our youngsters he's not quite good enough. Having said that hope he settles down and has a good career in the game.
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itfcserbia added 09:43 - Oct 29 Callum McManaman? Wow, from FA Cup final MotM and one of the top talents in English football to Melbourne Victory.
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WeWereZombies added 09:59 - Oct 29 Hoping we do not regret letting him go out on loan given how hit and miss our current crop of forwards are, but I guess the coaching staff see Folami week in and week out at the training ground and in under twenty three games so they know what is best for him and for the club.
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dirtydingusmagee added 10:02 - Oct 29 good luck with your move Ben, hope your footballing career is long and successful.
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BlueandTruesince82 added 10:18 - Oct 29 @Serbia I know! I thought that,a player I would have loved us to sign 3 or 4 yes ago.... shows how Covid has impacted the game
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midastouch added 10:19 - Oct 29 Given how many goals our current strikers have managed so far this season between them would we have really done any worse if given a few games here? I think the right loan would have been sensible if Norwood and Jackson were available but with them both out it doesn't seem the best time to be loaning Ben out. Nonetheless, the best of luck to Ben and hope it works out well for him, them (i.e. MV) and us.

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OwainG1992 added 12:41 - Oct 29 Butterfield and Mcmanaman, Some decent lads in that side.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 15:29 - Oct 29 Have a feeling we won't be seeing Ben again, but I wish him luck.
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therein61 added 17:27 - Oct 29 Good luck Ben enjoy the move which has to be the longest loan (miles wise) i've ever known.
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VanDusen added 19:18 - Oct 29 My 2nd team! Good luck Ben. Hope restrictions lift in time to catch you in action at AMII Park while visiting the wife's family. Any chance of getting a friendly out of it sometime Town?
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bobble added 20:46 - Oct 29 from the Ipswich reserves to Asian champions league football. and is arriving in Melbourne just as the 2nd wave of covid has been all but eliminated.
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WhoisJimmyJuan added 09:23 - Oct 30 All that nice weather too. I doubt he will come back too. But either way, the very best of luck to the lad.
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BettyBlue added 09:29 - Oct 30 would prefer to keep folami and send norwood to ross county on loan
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BettyBlue added 09:30 - Oct 30 or China or new Zealand or Australia
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