Melbourne City has signed Socceroo striker, Jamie MacLaren from German club SV Darmstadt 98. MacLaren had recently been on loan at Scottish Premiership club Hibernian for much of 2018 and the first part of 2019.
Jamie, 25-years-old, and a local from Melbourne, will don the number 29 shirt in a deal that keeps the forward at City until 2023. MacLaren commented:
“I can’t wait to return to Australia and as a local lad, it’s really exciting to sign for Melbourne City," he told the club's official website.
"It is an ambitious club with a talented group of players and experienced coaching staff. I’m confident and looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together.”
“I’m feeling strong after a good Asian Cup experience, but my focus is now on making an impact in the A-League and I’m looking forward to stepping out in front of the City fans at AAMI Park to show them what I can do.”
Melbourne City explain the signing
Meanwhile, City boss Warren Joyce told the club's official website , MacLaren’s capture would help propel the team's Hyundai A-League assault over the second half of the campaign.
“Jamie is a fantastic signing for us not only for this season but for the future. He’s a proven goalscorer with a lot of talent and experience, and at only 25 years old, he’s still got plenty of upside,” Joyce said.
“Jamie’s arrival will provide a big boost to the squad as we head into the back half of the season and most importantly, he’ll give us more of a goal threat.”
MacLaren grew up in Melbourne but made his Hyundai A-League debut with Perth Glory, scoring 11 goals in 38 appearances. He then moved to Brisbane Roar, where he was prolific, scoring 20 goals in each of the 2015/16 and 2016/17 seasons.
Jamie has won 13 caps for Australia and scored his first senior goal for his country in a 3-0 win over Palestine at the AFC Asian Cup 2019 in January.
He shared the golden boot with Besart Berisha in the 2016/17 Hyundai A-League season and was also named the NAB Young Footballer of the Year in both of the 2015/16 and 2016/17 campaigns.
For more information, contact: Paddy Dominguez, Republic Sports Management
T: 0405 282 888