|
|
Official: Socceroo Mark Milligan joins Melbourne Victory on loan from J2-League club JEF United
The two-time A-League champions have had backline issues throughout the 2011-12 campaign and have moved to fix them by signing the Japan-based defender
Jan 24, 2012 3:15:00 AM
By Ben Somerford
Getty Images
Australia international Mark Milligan has signed a loan deal with A-League giants Melbourne Victory for the remainder of the season.
The 26-year-old defender, who joins from J2-League outfit JEF United, becomes new Victory boss Jim Magilton's first signing.
Milligan, who was part of the Socceroos squads at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups, has had previous A-League stints with Sydney FC and Newcastle Jets, having won the title with the former.
“The Japanese season has finished up now, so rather than have an extended break, I was really keen to get back to the A-League and Melbourne Victory was a very attractive option for me," Milligan said in a club statement.
“Playing overseas really heightens your interest in the domestic game back home, so I’ve been keeping a close eye on the A-League since I moved away a few years ago, and I’m really excited to be back until the end of the season."
Milligan's arrival comes a fortnight after Magilton was appointed the new Victory coach and days after the club's disappointing 4-1 loss to Perth Glory.
He added: “Hopefully I can help get the club’s season back-on-track. The Melbourne Victory fans are the most passionate in the country so it will be great to play in front of them again, only this time as a Victory player."
Victory have one of the worst defensive records in the A-League, having shipped 27 goals in 19 matches and Magilton said he felt he needed to add a player like Milligan.
"While we have an array of attacking options, we felt it was imperative to bring in a player like Mark to strengthen our defensive set-up," Magilton said.
“Mark brings a great deal of experience and quality to the squad and we’re delighted to have him for the rest of the season. He’s a versatile player and can do a number of different jobs, so I expect him to be a real asset to the team.“
The Sydney-born defender has also had overseas stints with Shanghai Shenhua as well as JEF United, while he has never fulfilled him ambition to play in Europe despite being linked to Arsenal and Werder Bremen with visa issues proving to be a stumbling block.
The 26-year-old defender, who joins from J2-League outfit JEF United, becomes new Victory boss Jim Magilton's first signing.
Milligan, who was part of the Socceroos squads at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups, has had previous A-League stints with Sydney FC and Newcastle Jets, having won the title with the former.
|
Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
“The Japanese season has finished up now, so rather than have an extended break, I was really keen to get back to the A-League and Melbourne Victory was a very attractive option for me," Milligan said in a club statement.
“Playing overseas really heightens your interest in the domestic game back home, so I’ve been keeping a close eye on the A-League since I moved away a few years ago, and I’m really excited to be back until the end of the season."
Milligan's arrival comes a fortnight after Magilton was appointed the new Victory coach and days after the club's disappointing 4-1 loss to Perth Glory.
He added: “Hopefully I can help get the club’s season back-on-track. The Melbourne Victory fans are the most passionate in the country so it will be great to play in front of them again, only this time as a Victory player."
Victory have one of the worst defensive records in the A-League, having shipped 27 goals in 19 matches and Magilton said he felt he needed to add a player like Milligan.
"While we have an array of attacking options, we felt it was imperative to bring in a player like Mark to strengthen our defensive set-up," Magilton said.
“Mark brings a great deal of experience and quality to the squad and we’re delighted to have him for the rest of the season. He’s a versatile player and can do a number of different jobs, so I expect him to be a real asset to the team.“
The Sydney-born defender has also had overseas stints with Shanghai Shenhua as well as JEF United, while he has never fulfilled him ambition to play in Europe despite being linked to Arsenal and Werder Bremen with visa issues proving to be a stumbling block.
Follow Goal.com Asia on 
and 
for the latest in Asian footballing news, features, and analysis
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
Inside Goal.Com
-
Germany must drop their gutless Bayern stars
The Bavarians appeared to buckle under the pressure of Saturday's match against Chelsea. Now Goal.com investigates whether several in their ranks remain worthy to start for country
-
Cartoon: Too big for Portugal, Hulk eyes Chelsea
Goal.com cartoonist Omar Momani gives us his unique take on the football news of the day...
-
Top five Africans to win the Champions League
Goal.com looks back at five telling contributions from African players who helped their respective clubs to Champions League glory
-
Giovinco claims Serie A Goal of the Season
The 'Atomic Ant' takes the award for his wonderful dipping effort against the Robur, one of 15 goals he scored in a record-breaking 2011-12 campaign
-
All the players available for free in Spain
With the exception of Real Madrid and Barcelona, all of the clubs in the Primera Division will be releasing first-team footballers imminently. Goal.com takes a closer look
