Australian soccer superstar Tim Cahill signs mega deal with A-League club

EXCLUSIVE: AUSTRALIAN soccer superstar Tim Cahill has found a new A-League team to call home. So where has the international star signed on? It’s closer than you’d ever imagine.

Australian soccer superstar Tim Cahill has found a new team to call home. So where has the international star signed on? Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty

EXCLUSIVE: THESE are the pictures that confirm Socceroos superstar Tim Cahill is on his way to A-League side Melbourne City.

Cahill visited the training base of New York City, Melbourne City’s brother club, where he completed a medical ahead of his impending announcement.

The Socceroos’ record goalscorer will be unveiled as a Melbourne City’s latest signing within 72 hours.

In one of the biggest deals in Australian soccer history, Cahill will become one of the highest paid sportsmen in Australia when the deal is confirmed.

Tim Cahill takes a selfie with NYCFC players,Andrea Pirlo, Frank Lampard (centre) and former Melbourne City player David Villa (L).

Tim Cahill meets Frank Lampard at the NYCFC Training Centre pitch.

Tim Cahill (centre), speaks with New York City FC and World Cup winner and former Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo, and NYCFC Sporting Director Claudio Reyna.

The Sunday Herald Sun understands that Cahill has agreed to a multi-year, multi-million-dollar deal in the vicinity of Italy legend Alessandro Del Piero’s $3.5m-a-year contract with Sydney FC.

Football Federation Australia will subsidise Cahill’s wage as part of their recently announced guest player fund, which has been dubbed ‘The Tim Cahill’.

MORE: CAHILL SIGNING A HUGE COUP FOR A-LEAGUE

It’s believed that those negotiations, involving FFA, City and the Cahill camp, are still taking place.

Cahill, 36, remains a key player for Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou as they prepare to start the decisive final phase of World Cup qualifiers.

The midfielder-turned-striker, who’s scored at the last three World Cups including an outrageous left-foot volley against the Netherlands in 2014, appears destined to play at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

It’s believed that Cahill’s A-League switch has been given the tick of approval by Postecoglou.

Tim Cahill and NYCFC Sporting Director Claudio Reyna watch the First Team training.

Tim Cahill waves as he arrives at NYCFC training centre.

Tim Cahill is spotted arriving at NYCFC’s training centre in New York City.

While many stars of the Socceroos’ golden generation opted not to play in the A-League Cahill, who left Australia to pursue his professional dream as a teenager, recently hinted at a return.

“I’ve never closed the door on the A-League,” Cahill said while in Melbourne for a Socceroos friendly in June.

“A lot of things are up in the air but I’ve just got to keep playing — that’s the main thing for me.’’

Cahill recently finished a short-term stint with Chinese club Hangzhou Greentown, where he turned down a contract extension offer.

Melbourne City chief executive Scott Munn has flown to China in recent months and New York in recent weeks to conclude the deal.

Cahill was taken to New York City’s training base for his medical and fitness check, before he caught up with megastars Frank Lampard (former Chelsea and England), Andrea Pirlo (Juventus and Italy) and David Villa (Barcelona and Spain).

Cahill, who’s scored 47 goals in 91 Socceroos games, is most famous for his exploits in the English Premier League with Everton.

The A-League season kicks off in October.