Western Sydney Wanderers academy product Gabriel Cleur has returned to the Isuzu UTE A-League club.
Cleur will spend the next three seasons in Western Sydney after the Wanderers agreed a deal with Italian club Virtus Entella.
The 24-year-old right-back departed Western Sydney for Virtus Entella in 2015 and he amassed over 50 appearances across Serie B and Serie C, scoring once.
Cleur also started both legs of the 2017 Coppa Italia Primavera final against Roma Under-19s, who beat Entella 3-1 on aggregate in a team boasting Giallorossi star Nicolo Zaniolo and Luca Pellegrini.
He spent some time on loan at third-tier outfits Robur Siena and Alessandria.
“I’m always in the mindset of trusting God’s plan and coming back to Australia was definitely one of those things that just happened to open up,” said Cleur.
“I grew up in Western Sydney, in the Fairfield/Wetherhill Park area and played my junior football at Marconi so the Wanderers was an easy choice for me.
“I have been following the league ever since I’ve left Australia, I watch games here and there, in the morning before training or during breakfast.
“So I have seen the league and the quality it has. People overseas may underestimate it at times but it definitely is a challenging league. I’ll be expecting a physical game and to come up against some individually skilful players in the attacking third.
“I was actually part of the Wanderers Youth League squad back in the day before I left to go overseas. It was at the time of the Asian Champions League and domestic league success so I have always have this impression and view of the Wanderers being one of the biggest teams in Australia.
“I hope that I can play my part in rebuilding and pushing for Finals and Asian football again. At an individual level, I want to keep on learning and gaining experience.
“Growth and learning never stops in football.”
The Wanderers have been busy rebuilding under Mark Rudan following five consecutive seasons without finals football.
While the likes of Steven Ugarkovic, Tomer Hemed, Philip Cancar, Bernie Ibini and Dimi Petratos have left, the Wanderers have signed Kusini Yengi, Oliver Bozanic, Lawrence Thomas, Zac Sapsford, Nathaneal Blair, Calem Nieuwenhof and Aidan Simmons.
“We are very proud to bring Gabriel back to Australia to play for his hometown club,” said head coach Rudan.
“Gabriel has been through a number of challenges during his time in Italy and has gained a lot of football and life experience as a result.
“We welcome him and his family back to the Red & Black and wish him a safe journey back to Western Sydney.”
