Mark Milligan

Mark Daniel Milligan (born 4 August 1985) is an Australian former professional footballer.

Starting his career as a defender, Milligan has spent much of his later career playing as a midfielder.

He is currently a football expert commentary and analysis at 10 Sport.

He is currently an assistant coach for A-League Men club Adelaide United.

FourFourTwo magazine revealed on 28 July 2007 that after the Asian Cup Milligan had gone without Sydney FC's permission to trial for teams in Europe.

Milligan was linked with French sides FC Metz and RC Lens.

The following day Milligan reportedly walked out on Metz just before a scheduled trial game appearance against Standard Liège, allegedly out of frustration at the right-back position he would be trialled in.

The following day it was reported that Milligan would return home to play for Sydney FC after all.

During the summer of 2008, he was linked with a move to English Premier League clubs Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City and Arsenal, RC Lens of Ligue 1, as well as with FC Porto in the Primeira Liga and Bundesliga side Werder Bremen.

On 21 October 2008, The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Milligan had signed a guest contract with Newcastle United Jets for seven weeks.

He made his debut on 24 October 2008, against Central Coast Mariners at Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford, where his team lost 1–0.

During this time he was also sent off in a match against the Wellington Phoenix.

Milligan joined Chinese Super League outfit Shanghai Shenhua in January 2009, signing a three-year contract.

On 19 May, Milligan scored his first goal for Shanghai Shenhua in their 1–1 draw in the AFC Champions League group stage match against Kashima Antlers.

Milligan finalised his switch from Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua to Japanese side JEF United Chiba, who were relegated to the second division.

When the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami struck Japan, Milligan decided to flee the country, fearing for the safety of not only himself, but his wife and child.

With the J2 League suspended until further notice, JEF United Chiba gave permission for Milligan to train in a bid to keep his fitness up with his former A-League club Sydney FC.

It was confirmed on 24 January that Milligan signed for a loan deal to Melbourne Victory until the end of the 2011–12 A-League season, becoming the first Sydney FC player to switch to Melbourne Victory.

He returned to Japan in March.

On 23 January 2012 it was reported that Melbourne Victory was to secure Milligan on loan until the end of the regular season.

In July 2012, Milligan was released from JEF United Chiba and returned to Melbourne Victory by signing a three-year contract.

Milligan starred for Melbourne Victory during their 2012–13 season, moving from centre-back to play as a defensive midfielder, and quickly established himself as one of the best players in the league.

Although he has never been a prolific goal scorer, Milligan scored 8 goals in this season, a number of them being clutch goals in important games, including a penalty equaliser in an elimination final against Perth Glory that Melbourne Victory went on to win in extra time.

To cap off his season, Milligan won the Victory Medal, awarded to the club's player of the season.

On 17 September 2013, Milligan was rewarded for his performances by being appointed the captain of Melbourne Victory, replacing Adrian Leijer.

He was also rumoured to be leaving Melbourne Victory to join fellow national team midfielder Mile Jedinak at newly promoted Premier League club Crystal Palace, however Melbourne Victory rejected a rumoured £2m offer for the defensive midfielder.

Milligan, after a trial at Crystal Palace, stayed on at Melbourne Victory as captain in the 2013–14 season.

He sustained an injury halfway through the season, and the team suffered for this and other reasons such as losing their coach, an injury to Adrian Leijer (ex-captain and central defender) and four players (including three defenders) going to the Under 21 World championships (Jason Geria, Connor Pain, Scott Galloway and Nick Ansell).

However, Victory improved after this period to finish fourth in the A-League.

Milligan played every minute of all but one ACL match, only missing the final away match of the ACL Asian Champions League match through suspension.

At the end of the 2014–15 season it was announced that UAE Pro-League side Baniyas SC had triggered the release clause of Milligan's contract with a $1 million transfer fee, and he signed with them on a two-year contract.

On 17 May 2015, Milligan captained his side during their 3–0 defeat of Sydney FC in the 2014–15 A-League Grand Final, held at AAMI Park, Melbourne, and was awarded the Joe Marston Medal as the best player in the match.

On 31 July 2017, it was announced Miligan would return to the Victory on a one-year deal as a marquee player.

On 28 January 2018, Melbourne Victory sold Mark Milligan to Al-Ahli for $1 million.

He was assigned the number 5 shirt.

On 4 February, he made his debut for Al-Ahli in a league game against Al Ittihad FC.

He played at centre-half, with the game finishing 0-0.

He got good response from the fans, playing the full 90 minutes in the Jeddah derby.

On 18 August 2018, Milligan signed a two-year contract with Scottish Premiership club Hibernian.

Milligan played regularly for Hibernian during the 2018–19 season, after which he left the club.