Melbourne City FC can announce the signing of Australian midfielder Aiden O’Neill ahead of the 2020/21 A-League season.
The 22-year-old joins the Club on a three-year deal from English Premier League side Burnley, spending last season on loan to Brisbane Roar with spells at Central Coast Mariners, Fleetwood Town and Oldham Athletic preceding.
O’Neill is an Australian youth international, representing his country at Under 23 level and qualifying for the Olympics with the Olyroos at the 2020 AFC U23 Championships in Thailand.
Melbourne City FC Director of Football Michael Petrillo said:
“We have been following Aiden’s career path closely and believe he is one of Australia’s best young midfield prospects and we’re very happy he has chosen to sign for our club on a three-year deal.
“Aiden’s quality in the midfield as a player who is able to play as a defensive midfielder or in a more attacking role makes him an ideal, versatile player who will be able to fit straight into our City style of attacking football.”
Aiden O’Neill said:
“I’m excited to be joining Melbourne City and can’t wait to get started in October” O’Neill said.
“The Club plays an exciting and attacking style of football and I’m looking forward to pushing myself in an elite environment at the City Football Academy, in Melbourne. .
“Signing for the next three seasons shows my commitment to the Club and I’m ready to establish myself in one of the strongest midfields in the league.”
Born in Brisbane, O’Neill played his youth football at Brisbane Athletic before making the move to Burnley in 2014. The midfielder spent two seasons with the Development Squad before making the move to the first team in 2016 after receiving his international clearance.
He made his Premier League debut in August 2016 against Liverpool and made a total of three appearances for the Clarets before making the loan move to Oldham Athletic and later Fleetwood town.
O’Neil returned to Australia in 2018 where he joined the Central Coast Mariners – making 23 appearances – before joining Brisbane Roar in 2019 where he made 17 appearances throughout the 2019/20 season.
O’Neill will report into CFA Melbourne for the A-League side’s return to training ahead of the 2020/21 season on October 5.
