Young Australian defender Daniel Mullen has agreed to join Melbourne Victory on loan, a deal which will see him remain at the club for the rest of the 2012/13 Hyundai A-League season.
Young Australian defender Daniel Mullen has agreed to join Melbourne Victory on loan, a deal which will see him remain at the club for the rest of the 2012/13 Hyundai A-League season.
The 23-year-old’s Chinese Super League club, Dalian Aerbin, agreed to the loan deal, effective immediately.
Mullen, who plays as a centre-back, is no stranger to the Hyundai A-League, having made 79 appearances for Adelaide United between 2008 and 2012. His A-League form also resulted in a call up to the Socceroos side, as well as making several appearances with the U23 and U20 Australian youth sides.
Mullen was also named the U20 Footballer of the Year at the 2009 Australian Football Awards.
Melbourne Victory Coach Ange Postecoglou said Mullen’s arrival would give the club’s defensive stocks a boost.
“With Nick Ansell’s unfortunate groin injury, Mullen’s arrival provides a bit more defensive depth and cover in our squad for the rest of this season,” Postecoglou said.
“Daniel has already shown his talent in the A-League during his four years with Adelaide United and he has continued to show plenty of potential at his Chinese club, Dalian Aerbin since he left Adelaide last year.
“We have no doubt that he’ll be able to make an impact for us this season and potentially could remain with the club beyond finals.”
Mullen will arrive in Melbourne tomorrow and will join up with his teammates when they resume training on Thursday. He is expected to be available for selection for this Saturday’s game against Western Sydney Wanderers at AAMI Park.
Player Profile: Daniel Mullen
D.O.B: 26/10/1989
Birthplace: Adelaide, Australia
Height: 185cm
Position: Centre Back
A-League appearances: 79
Chinese Super League appearances: 15
National appearances: 1 (Socceroos), 15 (Australia U20), 2 (Australia U23)
