Essendon Football Club is pleased to announce the signing of five key players ahead for the 2015 VFL season.

Former Essendon midfielder Marcus Marigliani headlines the signing of Liam Byrne and Sam Heavyside along with the re-signing of Daniel Coghlan and Alex Hickey.

After being selected with pick 55 in the 2009 rookie draft, Marigliani went on to play two matches for Essendon’s AFL side in 2010.

The 28-year-old has developed a strong career through the midfield at VFL level with Frankston, Sandringham and Port Melbourne.

He was twice selected in the VFL Team of the Year in 2008 and 2009 as well as finishing fifth in the J.J. Liston Medal in 2010.

Essendon’s VFL General Manager Matt Little welcomed Marigliani back to the club.

“Marcus has a fantastic relationship with Hayden Skipworth as well as some of his former teammates who still play at our club,” Little said.

“He was really keen to come back to the club and we think he can add a lot of experience to our playing list.

“Marcus was keen to be a part of our set up and liked the environment that we have set up here at the True Value Centre.”

Byrne, a developing midfielder who will strengthen the club’s midfield stocks, joins the Bombers from Bendigo Gold

“Liam is about 186cms tall and is a strong inside player who has shown he can win his own footy and is a similar type of player to Daniel Coghlan,” Little said.

“He turns 20 next year and is still developing so he will be an exciting prospect for our club into the future.”

Heavyside is a small midfield/forward who played in the TAC Cup before a season with Bendigo Gold in 2014.

“Sam is an exciting prospect for our side who has terrific speed and is another really good inside player with high quality skills,” Little said.

“We think he will be a really good addition to our side and add a fair bit of pace to our forward line.”

Hickey and Coghlan had strong seasons in the red and black throughout 2014 and have re-committed to the club for a further season.