Sivic played several games at right back before his season was ended with osteitis pubis.

After another injury-plagued year in 2011 with the Victorian Training Centre and the Melbourne Victory Youth League side, Sivic has returned to the Thunder wanting to repay the club which gave him a start in senior football.

The Endeavour Hills resident, now 20, has signed with the Thunder for the 2012 VPL season with hopes he will fill the club's right back position.

Sivic said he was in full training after knee problems last season and hoped to be at full fitness by the start of the VPL campaign.

"Dandenong gave me an opportunity the first time. It's a good club with good people who look after their players well," he said. "I want to repay the favour and do well because we will be going for the championship this season."

Sivic said he was also heartened by new Thunder coach Chris Taylor, who he believes will give a young player like himself a chance to again show his quality at senior level.

"I remember Taylor at Melbourne Knights playing guys like Mate Dugandzic who was really young," he said. "Stuart Munro was like that as well. He didn't care how old you were, if you were good enough you played."

Sivic will be living and breathing the Thunder as he is working as an apprentice carpenter with Thunder veteran defender Shane Rexhepi, the same man who will undoubtedly be barking orders at Sivic from his role as a central defender.

"I want to be around him 24-7 because there is so much I have learn from him," Sivic said. "You basically can't get a better role model than him, he is a great leader and player for the club."

Sivic said he couldn't wait to get back on field in front of the Thunder's home crowd. "You know the supporters have got our backs no matter what happens," he said. "They take care of you and it's the reason we win games, because so many supporters show up each week."

The Thunder have also signed former Oakleigh Cannons defender Brian Bran and will name other signings in the coming weeks.

The Thunder host Singapore's under-21 national team tonight at George Andrews Reserve at 7pm.