A-League soccer: Tim Cahill signs with Melbourne City

We’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We’re working to restore it. Please try again later.

Advertisement

This was published 7 years ago

A-League soccer: Tim Cahill signs with Melbourne City

By Ronny Lerner
Updated

Australian soccer's worst-kept secret has been made official with A-League outfit Melbourne City confirming they have recruited Socceroos legend Tim Cahill.

The 36-year-old has penned a new three-year deal that will tie him to the club until the end of the 2018-19 season. He will serve the first two seasons of the contract in a playing capacity and will join the club's coaching team in the third season.

Cahill is arguably Australia's greatest ever soccer player. The diminutive forward is this country's most prolific scorer with 47 goals from 91 matches at international level – including five goals at three World Cups.

"I am incredibly excited to have signed with Melbourne City and ultimately the City Football Group. There is real ambition and purpose here, qualities that are immensely important to me," Cahill said in a statement released by the club early on Thursday..

Tim Cahill will play for Melbourne City next season.

Tim Cahill will play for Melbourne City next season.Credit: Getty Images

"I am here to contribute as much as I can to both the club and, where possible, to the further development of football here in Australia.

"My immediate focus is on getting to know my teammates and our pre-season preparations."I'm excited about the quality of the squad that I am joining and the opportunity to win silverware. I'm looking forward to the challenge of testing and proving myself in this league."

Cahill returns to his homeland after a distinguished 14-year career in England which saw him score over 100 goals for Everton and Millwall in more than 500 appearances.

More recently, he has since had stints in America with New York Red Bulls and in China with Shanghai Shenhua and Hangzhou Greentown.

Advertisement


The A-League's capture of Cahill ends months of friction between the superstar and FFA CEO David Gallop over the terms and conditions of Cahill's return to Australia.

Cahill also criticised the A-League for a lack of "vision" earlier in the year.

"Tim Cahill is a huge addition to the A-League and to Melbourne City FC," Gallop said.

"A player with his passion for the game, and the records that he holds for the Socceroos, is going to be a tremendous asset.

Loading

"He is a fantastic role model for young Australians who aspire to play at the top level."

City's signing of Cahill comes hot on the heels of them securing Bruno Fornaroli as their marquee player for the next three years and their recruitment of Neil Kilkenny last month.

Most Viewed in Sport

Loading