Milligan to captain Macarthur

Milligan, 35, joined Macarthur in July after being released by English lower league club Southend United.

“Mark is a natural leader,” Macarthur coach Ante Milicic said.

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“We have seen what he achieved with the Socceroos, (and) his experience and knowledge of what is required to be successful drives the standards amongst the playing group.

“He leads with his actions and we are privileged to have him be our inaugural captain.”

Milligan, who was capped 80 times for the Socceroos, said he was “humbled” to be asked to captain the A-League expansion club.

“Captaining my country was a massive honour and something that will always stay with me, but this is very special,” the former Sydney FC, Newcastle Jets and Melbourne Victory midfielder said.

“To be appointed captain of a brand-new A-League club is a great privilege.”

Milicic said Milligan would have strong leadership support from fellow Macarthur squad members and former Socceroos teammates Adam Federici, Tommy Oar and Ivan Franjic.

Meanwhile, Perth Glory have signed former Groningen, PEC Zwolle, FC Twente Sheffield Wednesday and Hapoel Ra’anana defender Darryl Lachman on a two-year deal.

“I’m delighted to be coming to Australia because I’ve heard a lot of great things about it,” the 30-year-old Curacao international said.

“I just want us to win as many games as possible and my aim is to play for the title.”

Glory coach Richard Garcia said Lachman would “make a big impact” in the A-League.

“Darryl is a strong central defender who is very calm in possession and an excellent distributor of the ball,” Garcia said.

“He’s very much a leader at the back who communicates and organises extremely well, and also has a good turn of pace.”

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