Mathew Leckie has signed a new deal with Melbourne City, allowing him to continue his career in the A-League Men for a sixth season. The 35-year-old Socceroos veteran has overcome a challenging period marked by injuries and hip surgery to secure his place in Tony Popovic's squad.

Leckie's Resilience

Leckie's commitment for the 2026-27 season includes an option for an additional year. His recent struggles included a hamstring injury that cut short his participation in this year's World Cup, where he was one of only four Australians to compete in four World Cups. Despite these setbacks, Melbourne City remains confident in Leckie's abilities. Football director Michael Petrillo stated, "Mat has consistently shown that when he's on the pitch, he remains one of the A-League's most influential players," expressing optimism about Leckie's future contributions to the team.

Milanovic Returns to Western Sydney

In other A-League news, Western Sydney has announced the return of Nicolas Milanovic on a three-year deal. The 24-year-old midfielder previously enjoyed a successful stint with the Wanderers, highlighted by a standout 2024-25 season where he scored 12 goals. Milanovic's impressive performances earned him a move to Aberdeen and a call-up to the Socceroos, where he made his debut against New Zealand in October 2025. However, after a challenging year in Scotland, he is eager to rejoin his former club.

Milanovic expressed his excitement about returning, stating, "Coming back to the Wanderers just felt right." He acknowledged the growth he experienced while playing overseas and is looking forward to bringing those lessons back to Western Sydney. New Wanderers coach Ufuk Talay also noted that Milanovic's overseas experience will be beneficial as he reintegrates into the team.