Socceroo midfielder Mark Milligan has become Melbourne Victory’s new Australian marquee after signing a three-year contract extension with the club.
Victory’s captain will now remain in Melbourne until at least 2017 after they rejected lucrative offers from the Middle East and England, which included a reported $1.5 million bid from Crystal Palace.
The 28 year old will now replace Archie Thompson as Victory’s Australian marquee after the veteran forward obliged to a reduced agreement, with Milligan succeeding him as expected, compensating for his collapsed overseas transfer.
Milligan revealed that both parties had agreed to terms before the World Cup commenced earlier this month, which was made public only late last night.
The Socceroo will now return to Melbourne after a disappointing World Cup as a hamstring strain saw his tournament cut prematurely after Australia’s opening match against Chile.
The fixture also marked the midfielders first appearance at a World Cup, who had not featured despite earning selection in the Socceroos previous two squads.
Milligan’s new deal will see him partner fellow Socceroo Carl Valeri in the centre of midfield, squashing rumours of a departure from Melbourne.
Albanian Besart Berisha additionally takes the mantle of international marquee after inking a deal from Brisbane Roar.