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Melbourne City sign Noone from Bolton

3 minute read

English attacker midfielder Craig Noone has joined A-League club Melbourne City on a two-year deal from crisis-hit English third-tier club Bolton Wanderers.

Melbourne City still don't have a senior coach for next A-League season but they've signed their second foreign player in Craig Noone.

The 31-year-old English attacking midfielder and winger has joined from crisis-hit third-tier English League One side Bolton Wanderers, who were relegated from the Championship in April and placed in administration last month.

Noone's signing is unlikely to appease AAMI Park fans, who are desperate for the Manchester City-aligned club to loosen the purse strings and sign bring proven European talent to Melbourne.

"Craig is a creative, pacey wide player who, after playing at the highest level in the UK, will bring a lot in experience and threat to the team," City football boss Michael Petrillo said.

"Craig is a proven goalscorer and provider who is just as comfortable cutting inside and shooting from range as he is at linking up with his fullback and delivering dangerous crosses."

But the Liverpool-born talent has scored goals in every campaign since 2008, for Bolton, Cardiff City, Brighton and Hove Albion and Plymouth Argyle.

Noone helped Cardiff City win promotion to the English Premier League in 2013, staying with the club during their first season in the top flight.

"I'm excited to join Melbourne City and test myself in the A-League," Noone said.

"I want to win and be competing for silverware.

"I know a few players in Australia and know the quality is good. I'm expecting it to be physical and fast-paced and can't wait to step out in front of the fans for the first time at AAMI Park."

Noone joins fellow international Florin Berenguer at City, who are without a coach since declining to extend Warren Joyce's contract after two years in charge.

With 17 contracted players, City's incoming manager has an almost complete squad, with three slots remaining for internationals - including one marquee signing.

Key pair Luke Brattan and Bart Schenkeveld are out of contract next season, with an announcement about their futures yet to be made.

MELBOURNE CITY'S 2019/20 SQUAD:

Goalkeepers: Mark Birighitti, Dean Bouzanis.

Defenders: Scott Jamieson (captain), Harrison Delbridge, Nathaniel Atkinson, Scott Galloway.

Midfielders: Rostyn Griffiths, Kearyn Baccus, Connor Metcalfe, Denis Genreau.

Attackers: Lachie Wales, Florin Berenguer, Jamie Maclaren, Moudi Najjar, Ramy Najjarine, Gianluca Iannucci, Craig Noone.

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