Melbourne City has completed the signing of Socceroos forward Matthew Leckie in a major statement of intent from the newly crowned A-League premiers.
Leckie, who captained and scored in Australia’s 3-0 World Cup qualifying win over Kuwait on Friday morning (AEST), agreed to terms on a three-year deal with City ending a decade-long stay in Germany.
Capped 64 times by the Socceroos, the 30-year-old returns to Victoria after spending nearly four years with Bundesliga club Hertha BSC.
City Director of Football Michael Petrillo says Leckie’s arrival will only help the club's push for more success in the future.
“Mathew has long been recognised as a stand-out Australian talent, and his success in the Bundesliga is testament to his ability to perform consistently at the highest level,” Petrillo said in a club statement.
“The personal attributes that make him such a successful Socceroos leader and his pace, strength and skill on the pitch will make him a vital part of delivering the ‘City Style’ football we play.
“Winning the Premiership was an important moment, but we are always looking forward to our next challenge and to continuously improve. We have big ambitions and Mathew’s addition to the squad is a key part of the next phase of our growth.”
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Leckie will link up with current Socceroos squad members Jamie Maclaren, Connor Metcalfe and Curtis Good at City.
“I first met Michael Petrillo when I was 18, and as a Melbourne boy I have followed Melbourne City’s growth closely in recent years,” Leckie said.
“The Club are building something special, and I’m excited to be coming home to join the Premiers after such an unbelievable season of football.”
“I’ve been talking with all the Melbourne City players in the Socceroos squad, and I can’t wait to get started, to get to work and bring home some more silverware for the fans.”