Nicolas Milanovic to leave Western Sydney Wanderers after signing deal with Scottish club Aberdeen

One of the A-League’s best players has signed a deal with Scottish Premiership club Aberdeen.

Socceroos hopeful Nicolas Milanovic’s move from Western Sydney Wanderers to Aberdeen has been finalised, with the winger signing a four-year contract with the Scottish Premiership club.

The deal, which is subject to Milanovic getting his visa clearance, is set to earn the Wanderers about $800,000 in transfer fees, with an official announcement from both clubs imminent.

Milanovic’s A-League season ended on Saturday night when the Wanderers were knocked out of the A-League finals series with a 2-1 loss to Melbourne Victory at CommBank Stadium.

The 23-year-old attacking weapon scored 12 goals in the club’s 2024-25 A-League campaign, falling just one short of joint Golden Boot winners Adrian Segecic (Sydney FC) and Archie Goodwin (Adelaide United).

The uncapped Milanovic is an outside chance of being selected in the Socceroos squad for next month’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia.

At the very least, Milanovic is in strong contention to be named in a squad Socceroos coach Tony Popovic will take to the United Arab Emirates next week for a training camp.

Moving to Aberdeen could also lead to Milanovic playing in either the UEFA Europa League of the UEFA Conference League next season, with the Dons currently fourth on the Scottish Premiership ladder.

Aberdeen could also secure a passage to Europe by beating Celtic in this month’s Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park.

Nicolas Milanovic will leave Western Sydney after signing a deal with Scottish club Aberdeen. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Elsewhere, Socceroos midfielder Anthony Caceres is yet to sign a new deal with Sydney FC.

It’s understood that 32-year-old Caceres has rejected an initial offer from the Sky Blues, with negotiations continuing.

Caceres would likely have to accept a pay cut to stay at Sydney FC.

Macarthur FC is interested in signing Caceres, with the Bulls keen to strengthen their squad ahead of a 2025-26 campaign that will include participation in the AFC Champions League Two competition after winning last year’s Australia Cup.

It’s understood that English winger Joe Lolley is also no certainty to remain at Sydney FC next season despite having a year to run on his lucrative deal.

Cellar dwellers Perth Glory have expressed an interest in Lolley, while the Wanderers could also be interested in the former Nottingham Forest star as they seek to fill the void left by the departure of Milanovic.

In other potential transfer news, veteran striker Bruno Fornaroli is set to depart Melbourne Victory at the end of the season.

Among the clubs interested in the 37-year-old marksman’s services are the Newcastle Jets, while Central Coast coach Mark Jackson is also keen to secure Fornaroli but currently can’t make an offer because Mariners owner Mike Charlesworth is yet to commit to signing players for next season.

Originally published as Nicolas Milanovic to leave Western Sydney Wanderers after signing deal with Scottish club Aberdeen