Australia midfielder Aaron Mooy signs three-year deal with Manchester City

Manchester City have signed Australia midfielder Aaron Mooy from A-League side Melbourne City, with the Premier League outfit loaning Anthony Caceres and Luke Brattan to their partner club.

Mooy, 25, has signed a three-year deal with the Premier League club while Caceres and Brattan move on loan for the 2016-17 season.

Mooy was named Melbourne City’s player of the year in each of his two seasons at AAMI PArk and set the A-League alight last season creating a record 21 assists.

His form has carried him into the Socceroos contention, establishing himself as a firm favourite of national coach Ange Postecoglou.

Brattan moved to Manchester last October from Brisbane Roar and was loaned to second-tier Bolton Wanderers. But, after not playing a competitive minute for either club, the 26-year-old gets a chance to restart his career under John van ‘t Schip.

We can confirm @AaronMooy has signed with @MCFC, @caceresa10 & @lukebrattan sign on loan.

https://t.co/oFYc2VSjC2 pic.twitter.com/JnE1DS0MRs

– Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) June 30, 2016

Caceres, 23, left Central Coast in January but was immediately loaned to Melbourne City in a deal that was widely seen as a way to ensure the Mariners received a fee for a prized asset. Transfer fees are banned between A-League clubs.

Brian Marwood, chief executive for City Football Group which owns both clubs, said Mooy was an extremely talented player who would only improve in the Premier League.

“Aaron’s move to Manchester allows us to further expose him to a high standard of opportunities to ensure his professional growth,” he said.

The move isn’t Mooy’s first venture to Europe.

He was a youth player at Bolton, graduating to senior football at Scottish club St Mirren before returning to Australia as a foundation signing under Tony Popovic at Western Sydney.