Michael Reda

NSL Career: APIA, Melita/Parramatta Eagles, Adelaide City, Morwell, Wollongong Wolves, Melbourne Knights 189 (11) / 1989 - 1999/00

Lebanon Career: 11 (0) A Internationals

 One of the NSL's most promising talents during the early 1990s, Reda was a highly skilful and pacy playmaker who went on to represent his parent's country (Lebanon) after missing out on Socceroos selection during the 1990s. Reda was at one-time the most expensive player in the NSL and was coached by a number of renowned managers during his career in Australia and Lebanon.

Reda began his junior career at Banksia United until the age of 13 when he joined St. George. Reda spent two years at St. George before moving to APIA where he progressed to the reserve team at the age of 15 before getting called-up for his NSL debut against Sydney Croatia at the age of 16. The young midfielder remained with APIA's reserve team and made his second NSL appearance the following season before joining NSW Division Two side Auburn Yugal who were coached by Rale Rašić. 

After showing promising signs at Yugal, Rašić recommended Reda to Melita Eagles coach Raúl Blanco who signed the 18 year old for the 1991/92 NSL season. In his first season at Melita, Reda made just two starts in nine league appearances in a side that possessed talented midfielders such as Hugo Giménez, Aytek Genç and Osvaldo El Ali.

In the 1992/93 season, former Yugal coach Rašić replaced Blanco and Reda had a breakout season, running the Parramatta (formerly Melita) midfield with Genç and Gabriel 'Chichi' Méndez as he missed just one game all season. Reda helped Parramatta qualify for the finals series in which they lost four-two on aggregate to Wollongong in the elimination finals before scoring in the NSL Cup Final against Heidelberg where Parramatta conceded a late own-goal to lose the match. 

With his Parramatta contract up, Reda moved to Adelaide City for a $42,500 transfer fee - one of the all-time biggest inter-NSL club transfers at the time. Having played the majority of his career in a "free role" at APIA, Yugal and Parramatta - Reda struggled to adapt to City's pragmatic style of play under coach Zoran Matić. 

After making just 12 league appearances for City, Reda moved back to Parramatta late in the 1993/94 season. Reda remained with Parramatta for another season but was unable to help the side avoid relegation before joining Morwell. Reda had a strong season at Morwell playing alongside players such as Ernie Tapai, Warren Spink and Brian Bothwell - but again missed out on finals action. Reda joined Wollongong Wolves for the 1996/97 season and became a regular before breaking his leg during the 1997/98 season.

After recovering from his broken leg, Reda spent time in Lebanon where he represented the national team in unofficial matches before trialling with New York/New Jersey MetroStars (later New York Red Bulls) in the hope of joining their inaugural Major League Soccer side. 

After failing to earn a contract in the US, Reda returned to Australia and joined Melbourne Knights for the 1998/99 season. Reda became a regular at Knights for two seasons as the club went through a rebuild following their successful run between 1993 and 1996. Following his time at Knights, Reda moved to Lebanon where he represented the national team at the 2000 West Asian Championship and 2000 Asian Cup, becoming the first Australian-born player to represent Lebanon.

Following his stint in the national team, Reda continued his club career in Lebanon, spending three seasons with Homenetmen and Olympic Beirut in the Lebanese Premier League. After winning the league-cup double with Olympic in the 2002/03 season, Reda hung up his boots at the age of 31 and returned to Australia.