Mark Milligan returns to the A-League for the Victory

"how many of them are respected at their former clubs?" As for respect at their former club, well, they're the player's former club. Best not to dwell on it. Per Dean's comments, his examples have all been embraced at their new club. I understand having a beef in the short term, but I'm sure the supporters of the new club will forgive past allegiances if he delviers on the park.

But he's coming from the J-League, not from directly from Sydney.

Agreed, it is a short term solution that I welcome. Milligan is a significantly better player than almost all of our defence, and I have no qualms in a short stint from him to potentially provide us with a few more points. And honestly, I don't follow what you're saying about players from Sydney. Clubs trade players all the time. It's how it works.

Luis Figo & the Brazilian Ronaldo played for both Barcelona & Real Madrid.

It's "disrespectful to fans" and "you'd feel dirty"? I reckon you've been reading too many "ultra forums". As a fan, I couldn't care less where Milligan played as long as he performs well for us. As long as Tevez was scoring goals at will last season, Man City fans didn't seem to care that he played for United. If MVFC had managed to sign Colosimo at the start of the season as we wanted I can guarantee we wouldn't be in as bad a position as we are now because Colosimo is a far better player than Vargas or Leijer. You've never rated Milligan? Fair enough. I rate Milligan very highly for having excellent technique (good with his feet, good in the air, calm under pressure, a leader) - as did Guus Hiddink, who is a reasonable judge of footballers.

How the heck is bringing in a new player that will only last 9 weeks going to rescue Melbourne Victory? It's a short term solution and will help us absolutely zero for next season which will put us back to square 1. I've never rated Milligan, hopefully now that he's coming here he can prove me wrong. As for him being from Sydney FC, yes I am serious, it's disrespectful to the fans to hire a player this is from their rival, Be it Carney, Milligan or Colosimo they have all played for Sydney and having them at Victory would feel just plain dirty. As for the players you mentioned above, how many of them are respected at their former clubs? As for the Heart, all of their supporters were from Victory at some stage in the A-League, it should not be of any surprise that 3 of their players are ex Victory, fitting just like the rest of their club.

from what I understand he was performing well in Chiba. I'd imagine he was hoping they would climb back to J1 however all and sundry were rolled by the Tokyo express. Throw in the earthquake and tsunami and I can understand his desire to move.

I'm inclined to agree with you Dean, except when it is SFC players going to the Victory.

Nothing wrong with being a football mercenary. Just look at Zlatan Ibrahimovic - Milan is his 6th club and he was just voted the best player in Serie A in 2011. "Aussie" Christian Vieri played for 14 different teams and I reckon he'd still pull the crowds & score goals in the HAL!

Good pick up for the Victory, good ball player which may make up for the deficiencies of Broxham, still, the guy is little more than a football mercenary.

Whom do you think we could get in January - the middle of most football seasons - to sign for 2-3+ years? Got any names to run past us? And, why are they out of contract in January if they're so good? As far as I'm concerned, Milligan is a technically-gifted, highly credentialed central defender - several classes above Leijer & Vargas and, perhaps, even better than any other CD in the HAL. In relation to your SFC comment - you're not serious are you? Happens all the time in every league.Players have played for City & United (Tevez, Phil Neville, Kanchelskis), Arsenal & Spurs (Sol Campbell), West Ham & Chelsea (Lampard) & the world didn't collapse. Besides, we don't have that sort of history (yet) in the HAL. Half the Heart side is ex-MVFC and, apart from a few initial boos at the Derby, after about 10 minutes no one cares.

He's only going to be here for 9 weeks, he is not the player we need. What we need is a player that will be in the A-League for at least 2-3+ years. And he made his name at Sydney FC!!! It's like Puyol going to play at Real Madrid. Yuck!

How's that a problem? I'd be there with open arms to welcome Nicky Carle, Antonis, Petratos, Emmo to MVFC. Mark Milligan is exactly the player we need. Looks like Magilton will start the clean-out. One of Australia's most outstanding junior talents, Julius Doe Davies has also signed and rumours have ex-Shamrock Rovers, Pat Sullivan (he's a right wing back, which is a position that has cost us lots of goals) also signing shortly.

ex-Sydney FC player, sigh!

And if he performs well here, then we're really crap? You guys do realise that their first division is miles ahead of ours right?

If hes playing in the J2 league makes you wander if hes that good anymore.

Not an earth shattering signing but a known quantity and reasonable player who can play midfield or defense. Melb have problems in both areas although Magilton seems to have pinpointed "our defensive set- up" so that might see him play alongside Leijer. Not sure what his current form in the J-League has been like, but only playing 2nd Division is a bit of a concern. Hopefully he'll in better form than what MVFC have got right now and any new blood at this stage is likely to be a good thing.

Hells yea! That'll help significantly! :D

Good acquisition to bolster up their midfield----a handy player to have on their books..