Former Melbourne Victory captain Adrian Leijer signs two-year deal with Korean club Suwon FC.

FORMER Melbourne Victory captain Adrian Leijer said it was too soon to return to the A-League after agreeing a two-year deal with Korean club Suwon FC.

FORMER Melbourne Victory captain Adrian Leijer said it was too soon to return to the A-League after agreeing a two-year deal with Korean top tier club Suwon FC.

Leijer agreed a mutual termination of his contract with Chinese Super League club Chongqing Lifan when it became apparent the new coach want to bring in a countryman to fill the sole Asian visa spot.

Victory are eager to bolster their defence just weeks out from their Asian Champions League campaign, while captain and shrewd defensive midfielder Carl Valeri unlikely to play again this season as tests continue to find the extend of an infalammtory brain condition.

Leijer, 29, attracted interest from rival A-League clubs too, but the defender said he was intent on staying in Asia after making the heartbreaking call to leave Victory in January last year, just months before they won the title.

“When I left for China I set out for a new experience and I thought it was too soon to come back (to the A-League), I wanted to explore any options before I came back,’’ Leijer said from Suwon.

“Suwon is a really good city. It ticks a lot boxes for me and my family. It’s a good league, a good city and an ambitious little club.

“It’s been interesting for me because most of my career I’ve been pretty stable, but some things are out of your control.

“A few changes in China occurred and with change the foreign players are usually moved on so it wasn’t a surprise.

“It’s similar to my last club, newly promoted and we’ve got a similar goal. It’s a smallish club but we’ve got a nice stadium and it seems a really friendly and professional club and it’s been a nice change for me.

“I’m looking forward to getting stuck into things and experiencing another country in Asia.’’

Former Victory skipper Leijer is looking forward to a new challenge.

Leijer’s former Victory teammate, Socceroos winger Robbie Kruse has returned to Bayer Leverkusen after a short loan spell with Stuttgart while defender Rhys Williams has been recalled by Middlesbrough from a one-month loan spell at fellow Championship club Charlton.

Kruse, who has struggled with injury since injuring himself in last year’s Asian Cup final, should get first team chances with Bayer still competing in the Europa League, starting with the February 19 first leg knockout tie away to Sporting Lisbon.

Leverkusen boss Jonas Boldt said Kruse’s hard work during rehab had not gone unnoticed and were confident he would play a role.

“VfB (Stuttgart) had at that time made great efforts with the player who has his qualities in Leverkusen has often proved,’’ Boldt said.

“Robbie fits with his speed and his playful skills excellent in our system. With him, we have gained a more attacking option.”

Originally published as Former Melbourne Victory captain Adrian Leijer signs two-year deal with Korean club Suwon FC.