Australia’s greatest soccer export, Harry Kewell, returned home to join A-League side Melbourne Victory yesterday, ending a protracted transfer saga that cost him a place in the Socceroos squad.
The 32-year-old former Liverpool forward had been without a club since leaving Turkish side Galatasaray at the end of last season and had been negotiating a move for more than two months.
“Harry is an Australian sporting icon and will bring not only incredible talent to Melbourne Victory, but will attract more fans to football and boost greater interest and participation in the sport in Australia,” the club’s chairman Anthony Di Pietro said in a statement. “Our discussions with Harry have been progressing for some time and we are delighted to have completed what is the most significant signing in Australian football and ... A-League history.”
The move for Kewell, who has scored 16 goals in 54 appearances for his country and played in two World Cups, ends a European-based career which, although successful, could have been more fruitful if it was not for continued injury problems.
Although his signing is a major coup for the struggling domestic league, which has seen clubs struggle with finances and one club close, Kewell and his agent have been pilloried in the Australian media for lavish demands, which included a cut of ticket sales.
“I am proud to be Australian and want to give something back to the game there,” Kewell told the Melbourne Victory Web site. “It has always been my ambition to play in my home country and I am very pleased to have that opportunity by playing for Melbourne Victory.”
Twice A-League champions, Melbourne Victory, who kick off their season on Oct. 8 against Sydney FC, have signed a three-year deal with Kewell, local media said.
Football Federation Australia (FFA) also hailed Kewell’s homecoming.
“This is a red-letter day for the ... A-League and Australian football,” FFA chief executive Ben Buckley said in a statement.
“The signing of Harry Kewell tells the story of ambition, credibility and growth for the game in Australia,” Buckley said. “Harry is rightly acclaimed as Australia’s most gifted footballer with a celebrated record of achievement. His homecoming will be hugely popular.”
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