Melbourne Victory will have a distinctly new-look defence next year with sometime Socceroo Rhys Williams anchoring the rearguard and former Victory youngster Thomas Deng due to rejoin the club after a spell in Europe.

Williams was the most prominent name among 10 players announced as departures from Perth Glory on Sunday, including hard-nosed centre back Dino Djulbic, free-kick specialist Nemanja Marinkovic and another occasional Socceroo, Josh Risdon, who is joining Western Sydney Wanderers.

Rhys Williams, in Glory colours, tackles Adelaide Utd's Mark Ochieng during the A-League season. Credit:Getty Images

But it is Williams, a gifted central defender who also can play in midfield, who will excite the Victory faithful most.

The West Australian-born centre back is one of the most talented defenders produced in this country in the past decade but his career has been stymied by injury.