Belgian defender Ritchie De Laet has joined Melbourne City on a one-season loan as the A-League side's second marquee player.
De Laet, who played 12 games for Leicester City in their Premier League title-winning season of 2015/16, has linked back up with coach Warren Joyce.
He played as a 16-year-old under Joyce at Royal Antwerp, later spending three years at Manchester United but only playing six games.
It was Joyce who recommended him to United, while he was at Old Trafford as the Under-21 coach.
De Laet couldn't dislodge Gary Neville from the right-back spot at United and left to join Leicester in 2012, winning promotion with the Foxes.
He spent the first half of their Premiership-winning season with the club before moving to Middlesbrough on loan and helping Boro win promotion from the Championship.
The 29-year-old has been loaned out by Aston Villa where he's played eight games over two years.
Joyce said: "Ritchie's quality and versatility provides us with a number of options.
"I know Ritchie well having coached him before during my time in England and Belgium. He can play as a defender or across the midfield with quality on the ball to help link defence and attack."
De Laet, who was capped twice by Belgium in 2009, had a loan spell with Royal Antwerp earlier this year after finding his first-team opportunities restricted under Steve Bruce at Villa.
He said he was excited to be joining a team that had big ambitions and played attractive football.
Speaking of Joyce, he added: "He's a coach that's always looking to help improve players and demands hard work."
Melbourne City are 9/2 to win the Grand Final. City are 7/5 to win their first game of the season against Melbourne Victory, who are 17/10 with the draw 13/5.
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Belgian defender Ritchie De Laet has joined Melbourne City on a one-season loan as the A-League side's second marquee player.
De Laet, who played 12 games for Leicester City in their Premier League title-winning season of 2015/16, has linked back up with coach Warren Joyce.
He played as a 16-year-old under Joyce at Royal Antwerp, later spending three years at Manchester United but only playing six games.
It was Joyce who recommended him to United, while he was at Old Trafford as the Under-21 coach.
De Laet couldn't dislodge Gary Neville from the right-back spot at United and left to join Leicester in 2012, winning promotion with the Foxes.
He spent the first half of their Premiership-winning season with the club before moving to Middlesbrough on loan and helping Boro win promotion from the Championship.
The 29-year-old has been loaned out by Aston Villa where he's played eight games over two years.
Joyce said: "Ritchie's quality and versatility provides us with a number of options.
"I know Ritchie well having coached him before during my time in England and Belgium. He can play as a defender or across the midfield with quality on the ball to help link defence and attack."
De Laet, who was capped twice by Belgium in 2009, had a loan spell with Royal Antwerp earlier this year after finding his first-team opportunities restricted under Steve Bruce at Villa.
He said he was excited to be joining a team that had big ambitions and played attractive football.
Speaking of Joyce, he added: "He's a coach that's always looking to help improve players and demands hard work."
Melbourne City are 9/2 to win the Grand Final. City are 7/5 to win their first game of the season against Melbourne Victory, who are 17/10 with the draw 13/5.
Source: bet365.com