Former Iraq international midfielder Ali Abbas has joined Sydney FC in Australia's A-League on a two-year contract, the club said on Monday.
Abbas, 25, left A-League rivals Newcastle Jets to join the two-time champions, who will be under new head coach Ian Crook next season.
Abbas was a member of the victorious Iraqi national team that won the Asian Cup in 2007. He has spent the past three years playing with the Jets, where he scored four goals in 60 appearances.
He fled war-torn Iraq after playing an under-23s international against Australia north of Sydney four years ago, and was granted asylum to stay in the country. Abbas became an Australian citizen in January this year.
"I believe Ali is a fantastic addition to the squad and will have a big impact on the team," Crook said.
"He has great endurance and is very quick. He is also naturally left-footed, which is something we've been missing on the left wing."
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