Football
ESPN staff 9y

A-League side Melbourne City names Aaron Mooy as marquee player

Australia international Aaron Mooy has been elevated to the marquee player position at Melbourne City after signing a new three-year deal with the A-League club.

The 24-year-old was Melbourne City's top scorer last season with seven goals and also provided eight assists in 27 matches.

The new deal will see Mooy tied to the Victorian club until 2018. He joined them from the Western Sydney Wanderers in 2014.

"I'm really excited to re-sign with City. I feel right at home at the club and it's a really exciting time to be here," Mooy told the club's official website.

"The club is moving in the right direction and the players, coaching staff and the environment is one I really want to be involved in and a part of."

Mooy claimed a hat-trick of awards at Melbourne City's awards night in May, when he was awarded the Golden Boot, Supporters' Player of the Year and the Player of the Year.

Mooy, who has won six Socceroos caps, is likely to be in the Australia squad for next month's AFC World Cup qualifiers. Melbourne City coach John van't Schip said that the Sydney-born Mooy had quickly become a senior player within the club.

"Aaron has demonstrated over the last 12 months his importance and value, not only to the team but also the club," van't Schip said.

"He is an incredibly dedicated professional and has become a leader and role model for our younger players."

Mooy was on the books of English club Bolton Wanderers for five years, working his way up through the junior ranks into the first team squad. But after failing to make a competitive appearance, he joined Scottish Premier League side St. Mirren in 2010.

Having played in the 2009 U20 World Cup in Egypt, Mooy earned his first senior call up against Republic of Ireland in the same year. He has scored three international goals, including one in the 4-3 defeat to China at the 2013 EAFF East Asian Cup in South Korea.

Each A-League club is allowed two marquee players. Following the easing of salary cap rules announced on Tuesday, clubs will not be tied down by nationality for marquee signings.

^ Back to Top ^