Sydney FC has signed former English Premier League striker Michael Bridges on loan from Hull City for the rest of the Hyundai A-League 2007/08 Season.
Bridges made his name in England's top flight, first with Sunderland and then, following a $12m transfer, with Leeds United, for whom he notched 19 Premier League goals in his debut season as the Elland Road side ran third and reached the UEFA Cup semi-finals.
Twenty-nine-year-old Bridges put pen to paper on his Sydney FC contract after meeting his new teammates at Macquarie University Sports Fields this morning and undergoing a medical examination this evening. |  |
"I've always wanted to play abroad. It's been a childhood ambition and getting the opportunity to come out here is second to none, one that I couldn't turn down," said Bridges. "My old mates Harry Kewell and Dwight Yorke told me that I should jump at the chance to get over here and experience the A-League.
"I'm looking forward to bringing a bit of experience from playing in the Premiership to help the team and get them goals. Hopefully, I can feed off a few of the unique passes that Juninho has in his locker."
Bridges will be unavailable for Sydney FC's Hyundai A-League 2007/08 home game against Adelaide United at Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday as he awaits visa clearance but the club expects the England Under-21 international will be ready for the Central Coast Mariners match at the same venue on October 28.
Sydney FC has signed Bridges, who will take part in tomorrow's training session at Sydney Football Stadium, as a replacement for long-term casualty Michael Enfield, who has been ruled out for several months after sustaining a serious knee injury.
