Football
ESPN staff 9y

Midfielder Mark Milligan to leave A-League and Melbourne Victory

Melbourne Victory midfielder Mark Milligan has agreed to join Baniyas FC in the United Arab Emirates for the next two seasons.

The newly crowned 2015 A-League champions have finalised terms with the Arabian Gulf League club for the release of the 29-year-old who was named man-of-the-match when Victory defeated Sydney FC in last month's Grand Final.

Victory manager Kevin Muscat said he understood why the ex-Australia U23 captain and former Shanghai Shenhua star had decided to move on.

"The offer from Baniyas presents a significant opportunity for Mark and his family that he would like to pursue," Muscat told a-league.com.au

"Mark has been a wonderful servant for Melbourne Victory who has led by example at every opportunity.

"He won the Victory Medal in 2012-13 and played a major role in our Premiership-Championship double last season."

Milligan made 73 A-League, five AFC Champions League and three FFA Cup appearances for Melbourne Victory after joining the club at the start of 2012. He's been captain since September 2013.

Once the transfer is finalised, Milligan will join his new Baniyas teammates ahead of August's start of the Arabian Gulf League season.

Milligan played in the Australian team who beat United Arab Emirates 2-0 in the semifinals on the way to winning the 2015 AFC Asian Cup in January.

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