Aussie star signs with Ronaldo’s team as ex-Socceroo returns to Melbourne
Socceroos defender Aziz Behich is set to play alongside Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo after he secured a loan deal to join Al-Nassr until the end of the season, while another A-League Men’s player could be on the move to the EPL.
And a former Socceroos midfielder Jimmy Jeggo is back in Melbourne after an eight-year stint in Europe.
Behich will make the move at the end of the Asian Cup, with Australia preparing to play South Korea in the quarter-finals on Saturday morning after their opponents from the 2015 final scraped past Saudi Arabia on penalties.
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The 33-year-old is currently with Melbourne City but will move to Saudi Arabia when the Asian Cup wraps up.
It’s a huge move for Behich, who will link up with Ronaldo as well as former Liverpool striker Sadio Mane, with Al-Nassr in second spot in the Saudi Pro League, seven points behind Al-Hilal.
Fellow Socceroos veteran Craig Goodwin also plays in the SPL with Al-Wehda.
Socceroos’ huge Asian Cup test locked in as wild last-second comeback stuns tournament
Behich has played every minute of the Asian Cup so far and his speed could come into play against a Korean side that will be physically exhausted after a taxing comeback in the round of 16.
The Aussies have conceded just one goal so far in the tournament, but questions remain over their attacking fluency that hasn’t been as smooth as fans would like.
Behich isn’t the only local player set to leave Australia, with Adelaide goalkeeper Joe Gauci tipped to join Aston Villa before the transfer deadline.
Gauci is with the Socceroos and would be behind Emiliano Martinez at Villa, with the shot-stopper crowned the best keeper at the 2022 World Cup after helping Argentina win the
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