Huddersfield Town have completed the signing of Australian international left-back Jason Davidson on a three-year contract.
The recruitment of the former West Bromwich Albion player, who featured in last year’s World Cup in Brazil, is a coup for the Championship club, who are without a specialist in that position.
Signed from Dutch side Heracles by then-Albion boss Alan Irvine a year ago, the 23-year-old made only five appearances, and didn’t feature under current manager Tony Pulis.
Released last month, Davidson is desperate for regular first-team football, and is eager to take his chance at Town.
The Melbourne-born player, who has also played in his home country, Japan and Portugal, returned to England to seal his Town deal after being with Australia for their World Cup qualifier in Kyrgyzstan.
He will join up with his new teammates for pre-season training on Wednesday.
Davidson made 51 appearances for Heracles, and joined West Brom on a two-year contract last August.
But he managed only one Premier League start, and a one appearance as a substitute, his other three outings all coming in the Capital One Cup.
He started all three of Australia’s World Cup matches in Brazil, against Chile, Holland and Spain, and helped them win this year’s Asian Cup.
The son of former Australian international and Nottingham Forest midfielder Alan Davidson, he has 18 caps.
He becomes Town’s third Australian player after striker Scott McDonald (2002) and left-back Dean Heffernan (2010).
Socceroos that have crossed
the world to shine
TIM CAHILL
The all-time top scorer for Australia, he scored a half-century of goals for both Millwall and Everton and now plays for Shanghai Shenhua.
A box-to-box midfielder, Cahill became recognised for his direct and powerful approach and his productive late runs into the penalty area.
BRETT EMERTON
Shone in the blue and white halves of Blackburn Rovers, making more than 290 appearances after moving from Feyenoord for £2.5m in 2003.
Able to play as a wide midfielder or defender, Emerton was known for his speed, ball control and creativity.
HARRY KEWELL
The wideman enjoyed his best spell with Leeds United between 1995 and 2003, when he moved to Liverpool.
He helped the Read wins the Champions League in 2005.
Although hampered by injuries, Australian fans still voted Kewell their country’s greatest footballer in a 2012 poll.
LUCAS NEILL
The versatile defender spent 15 years playing in England, chiefly for Millwall, Blackburn Rovers, West Ham United and Everton.
A centre-half with good leadership skills, he could also turn out at full-back.
MARK SCHWARZER
The Leicester City keeper began his stint in England at Bradford City in 1996.
His lengthiest spell was at Middlsbrough ((1997-2008) and he also played for Fulham and Chelsea.
