A-League: Mathew Leckie joins Melbourne City on a three-year deal

Melbourne City have added to their impressive squad with the signing of Socceroos star Mathew Leckie.

New Melbourne City signing Mathew Leckie takes a break during Socceroos training. Picture: Francois Nel/Getty Images

Proud Victorian Mathew Leckie is coming home to join Melbourne City.

The Socceroos star, who captained his country and scored in Australia’s 3-0 World Cup qualifying win over Kuwait on Friday morning, has signed a three-year deal with the A-League premiers.

“As a Melbourne boy I have followed Melbourne City’s growth closely in recent years,” the 30-year-old attacking weapon 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.”

Leckie last played in the A-League in 2011 for Adelaide United before embarking on a 10-year stint in Germany where he had stints with Borussia Mönchengladbach, FSV Frankfurt, FC Ingolstadt and Hertha Berlin.

Mathew Leckie scores for Australia against Kuwait. Picture: Yasser Al-Zayyat / AFP

Melbourne City director of football Michael Petrillo said City’s signing of Leckie, who has been capped 64 times for times for the Socceroos, was further proof of the club’s “big ambitions”.

“Winning the premiership was an important moment, but we are always looking forward to our next challenge and to continuously improve,” Petrillo said.

“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.

“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.”

That “style” will again be on display at AAMI Park when City meet the Victory in the final Melbourne derby of the season.

City – who are without Socceroos squad members Jamie Maclaren, Curtis Good and Connor Metcalfe – can’t be dislodged from top spot and will host a semi-final on the weekend of June 19-20.

Originally published as A-League: Mathew Leckie joins Melbourne City on a three-year deal