EX-ARSENAL star Carl Jenkinson has made a shock loan switch to Australian side Melbourne City from parent club Nottingham Forest.
The 29-year-old will join the A-League Champions for the rest of the season after falling to nail down a regular first-team spot during his time with Forest.
The right-back was brought to Arsenal by then boss Unai Emery who scooped the defender from Charlton – where he made his professional debut – for £1million.
Jenkinson moved to Forest in 2019 for £2million on a three-year deal following an eight-year stint with Arsenal from 2011-2018 – where he made 70 appearances in all competitions and chipped in with one goal.
He also spent a few seasons with the Gunners’ London adversaries West Ham on loan prior to his Forest transfer.
However, the English defender has failed to make an impact since joining the Reds – making just 15 appearances during his time at the club.
Forest let Jenkinson know he could leave last summer but no club came in with an offer to rescue him from his plight.
Jenkinson wasn’t even given the chance to feature in Forest’s shock 1-0 win over his former Arsenal in the FA Cup third-round earlier this month.
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But now the star – who was capped once by England – has been given the chance to relaunch his dwindling career Down Under with the A-League side.
Jenkinson said: “I’m excited to be joining a Club that are the current champions of Australia.
“I’ve heard a lot of good things about both Melbourne as a beautiful city, the professionalism of the club and the quality of the league.”
Melbourne’s director of football Michael Petrillo said: “Carl is a player with experience at the highest level that will add to the quality of our squad.
“We’re pleased to have attracted a player of his calibre to the club.
“His versatility provides us with a number of options as he can play at right back, as a central defender and in a defensive midfield position.
“We are confident Carl will suit our attacking style of play and help us to achieve our goals on the pitch”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk