Sydney, Sep 1: Australian club Central Coast Mariners have signed English midfielder Nick Montgomery following his release from English League One side Sheffield United after 12 years and more than 350 matches.
Montgomery first played for Sheffield United in 2000 and was on loan to Millwall last season, where he played two matches.
Mariners coach Graham Arnold said Saturday the defensive midfielder "is a winner, a leader ... and at 30 some of his strongest years of football are still in front of him."
Montgomery said he turned down other offers and an inquiry from Major League Soccer in the United States, "but both (wife) Josie and I have friends in Australia and this is a chance of a lifetime."
