FORMER Norwich and Ireland captain Wes Hoolahan has arrived in Australia and could put pen to paper on a one-year deal with the Newcastle Jets as early at Thursday.
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The 37-year-old attacking midfielder, who captained the Canaries in the English Premier League and was their player of the season two years ago, played 10 games for West Bromwich Albion in the English Championship last season.
The Jets, who plan to go with a squad of 20 senior and three scholarship players, have one place to fill on the roster and last week confirmed their interest in the Irish international.
The classy No.10 had been training with Cambridge United in England and played in a friendly against Glasgow Rangers a fortnight ago.
Although in the twilight of his career, Hoolahan is extremely fit and only retired from international football in 2018.
Cambridge United manager Collin Calderwood was hopeful of signing the veteran but told the Irish Sun newspaper that he believed Hoolahan was headed to Australia. "There's a nice opportunity for him, we've got no hold on him,"
Hoolahan was close to joining Warren Joyce at Melbourne City last season and looms as an ideal replacement for Ronny Vargas, who is now with Belgium club Oostende.
Former Newcastle United coach and Norwich legend Ian Crook is understood to have a high opinion of Hoolahan and spoke to him about joining Western Sydney Wanderers previously.
The Irishman is understood to have arrived in Newcastle on Wednesday, will undergo a medical and, all being well, put pen to paper on Friday.
After 11 years in England, the lure of the Australian lifestyle is the driving force behind his move. His family are expected to joined him once settled.
Known for his finesse and creativity, the attacking midfielder made a name for himself during a 10-year period at Norwich, where he scored 54 goals and made 78 assists in 351 appearances, including four seasons in the English Premier League.
The left footer, earned 43 caps for Ireland, scored their opening goal against Sweden at the 2016 European Championship and wore the skipper's armband under Roy Keane.
Meanwhile, Perth Glory coach Tony Popovic says he would love Matthew Spiranovic to return to the club, but he'll give the star defender plenty of time to mull over his next move.
A former Socceroo, Spiranovic played a key role in helping Glory claim last season's Premiers Plate, with his strong form landing him a Socceroos recall.
The 31-year-old's one-year contract with Glory is now over, and he's deciding what to do next while holidaying in Europe.
