Manchester City sign Australia midfielder Aaron Mooy - but who is he? And will he even play?
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ByEurosport
Updated 30/06/2016 at 07:53 GMT
Australia midfielder Aaron Mooy has signed a three-year deal with Manchester City, joining the English Premier League side from sister club Melbourne City.
Aaron Mooy, Australia
Image credit: PA Photos
"Aaron is an extremely talented player who possesses the attributes we hope to foster and encourage within the City Football Group," said Brian Marwood, managing director of parent company CFG, who own City, Melbourne City and New York City FC.
"With the unique model CFG provides, Aaron's move to Manchester allows us to further expose him to a high standard of opportunities to ensure his professional growth."
Fine words - but fans will be scratching their heads about this little-known player moving to one of the biggest clubs in Europe.
Who is Mooy?
Mooy, 25, is a creative attacking midfielder who enjoyed a stellar 2015-2016 season with Melbourne City, scoring 11 goals and providing an A-League record 21 assists.
He previously had a stint with Western Sydney Wanderers, his hometown team. And before that he plied his trade in Britain for several years.
Experience in England and Scotland
Mooy might be unknown to most in the UK, but there are pockets of fans who will remember him.
In 2006 he moved to England and joined the Bolton Wanderers youth team.
He did eventually move on to the main squad in 2009-10, but never played a match.
Mooy signed for St Mirren in 2010, spending two years with the Scottish club - though he only made 29 appearances and scored two goals. He's pictured on the left here celebrating one of those goals with St Mirren's Paul McGowan.
International calibre?
Mooy has played 15 times for his country, first being capped in 2009 against Ireland - and appearing most recently in the international friendly against England ahead of Euro 2016.
The bottom line: Will he ever play for City?
In short, no.
Mooy will be sent out on loan at other clubs, if the experience of other Australians who have joined City is anything to go by.
Defensive midfielder Luke Brattan, who moved to Manchester in October 2015, had a spell at Bolton Wanderers and will be loaned to the Melbourne franchise for the next A-League season.
Another Manchester City midfielder, Anthony Caceres, moved to Melbourne on loan halfway through last season and will remain with the club for the new campaign, which starts in October.
Marwood's quotes even suggest as much, talking about how the group of clubs give a "unique opportunity" to "expose him to a high standard of opportunities".
In other words, Mooy probably fancies a move overseas - and, having, a Dutch passport through his mother, he has no work permit issues to worry about.
Additional reporting via Reuters
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