Perth Glory have signed Wales international Tom Lawrence on a deal that brings the former Manchester United, Derby County and Rangers attacker to the A-League Men, as David Zdrilic’s side manage late injury setbacks before the season opener.
The 31-year-old arrived in Perth last week and will be eased in, with Zdrilic confirming he will not feature against Wellington Phoenix while he builds match fitness after his move to Western Australia.
What Happened and Why It Matters
Lawrence touches down as a high-profile addition for Perth Glory, adding proven end-product and top-level experience to an attack built around co-captain Adam Taggart.
Developed at Manchester United, the versatile forward collected senior minutes across the EFL with Carlisle United, Yeovil Town, Blackburn Rovers, Cardiff City and Ipswich Town before a 5-season spell at Derby County, where he became captain, then a switch to Rangers in 2022. He scored in domestic and European competition in Glasgow and now takes the No 34 shirt at HBF Park.
Our new recruit @TomLawrence99 in action…@aleaguemen #ONEGlory pic.twitter.com/Qj00NJVDXN
— Perth Glory FC (@PerthGloryFC) October 10, 2025
The timing of the transfer is significant. Perth Glory have been hit by two late fitness concerns, with dynamic wing-back Sam Sutton ruled out for at least the first month and goalkeeper Mark Birighitti a doubt for the first game after a training knock.
Zdrilic described Sutton’s issue as a complicated knee and quad matter, less serious than first feared, and indicated a likely return after the mid-November international break. If Birighitti is not passed fit, Cameron Cook is expected to start in goal.
On the left, Lachie Wales is a candidate to cover Sutton’s wing-back role after working there in pre-season. Sutton’s absence is a blow, since the off-season recruit from Wellington Phoenix had excelled as an advanced, on-rushing outlet, giving Glory an extra runner to pin full-backs and create room for the central forwards.
Zdrilic has been clear on Lawrence’s integration plan. The Welsh attacker has made an instant impression in training, however he will be phased in carefully, prioritising conditioning and tactical cohesion over a quick debut. That approach aligns with the wider off-season strategy, which has focused on balance and depth, not just headline signings.
The squad now includes experienced A-League figures Scott Wootton and Brian Kaltak, plus emerging talents Jaiden Kucharski and Rhys Bozinovski, alongside retained leaders and a fitter supporting cast for Taggart.
Reaction, Impact, and What Comes Next
From a tactical perspective, Lawrence offers Perth Glory immediate versatility. He can play as a left or right attacking midfielder, as a narrow 10 tucked behind Taggart, or as an inside forward arriving late into the box. At Derby County he carried ball progression and chance creation responsibility, while at Rangers he showed the capacity to combine with a traditional No 9 and contribute on set plays.
🚀 | @TomLawrence99 pic.twitter.com/C1w0T2yH1j
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) May 5, 2024
Short term, the focus is on banking points while the new pieces click. Without Sutton, Perth Glory lose a natural overlap on the left, so width may need to come from early switches to Wales or underlaps from the near-side midfielder, with the weak-side wing-back holding width to stretch the back line.
If Birighitti is unavailable, building from the back will likely be simplified to protect a changed goalkeeping unit, especially against Wellington Phoenix’s counter threat.
What A Goal | @TomLawrence99 pic.twitter.com/XWmAvOawOB
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) February 28, 2024
The head coach has spoken about a better mix of experience and youth, and the ability to call on 7 or 8 genuine starters across the bench strengthens Perth Glory’s late-game options.
The club’s target is a finals berth, framed by a more coherent spine and improved durability across the campaign. If Lawrence reaches rhythm by early season and Sutton returns on schedule after the international window, Glory’s left side regains its thrust and the front unit gains another high-IQ connector around Taggart.
For supporters, the message is patience now for a higher ceiling later, as a proven international settles, injured starters return, and Perth Glory look to convert a strong pre-season into sustained momentum.
