MANCHESTER UNITED legend Nani has signed for A-League outfit Melbourne Victory.
Nani, 35, has put pen to paper on a two-year deal as the club’s marquee signing.
Nani has signed a two-year deal with A-League’s Melbourne Victory Credit: Getty
The Portugal winger has headed to Australia as the club’s marquee signing Credit: Getty
Nani was a cult hero at Old Trafford during his eight-year spell in Manchester Credit: Bradley Ormesher – The Times The Australian side confirmed they were “pleased to announce” the transfer as the four-time Premier League champ heads Down Under.
Managed by former Crystal Palace defender Tony Popovic, Melbourne finished league runners-up last term.
And Nani – who made over 229 appearances with the Red Devils over eight years at Old Trafford – announced he is looking ahead to the next chapter.
He told the Boys in Blue official site: “I’m excited to be coming to the A-League with Melbourne Victory and I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead.
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£38m Lisandro Martinez bid, Richard Arnold IN BARCELONA for Frenkie de Jong “I have spoken with the coach, Tony, and I know that Melbourne Victory is a club that wants to achieve success and I want to play a role in helping the team achieve that.
“From what I have seen, the fans in Melbourne are not only the best in the league but they rival the atmosphere in Europe and I’m looking forward to being a part of that on the field in a Victory shirt and playing for them this season.”
The Portuguese winger has spent the past six months in Italy with Venezia.
His arrival in January couldn’t help them beat the drop.
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And even though he still had a year remaining on his deal there, the Venice outfit released Nani following their relegation from Serie A.
But Aussie football chiefs hope his arrival will give the game a boost following a slump in attendances last season.
Australian Professional League chief executive Danny Townsend said earlier this year: “I look at marquee players as ‘bums on seats’ players.
“They are genuine world class stars, and our game needs it.
“Our game needs a sugar hit. Let’s get lots of sugar into it over the off-season, and you’ll start to see a bunch of players come into the league next season that will put bums on seats.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
