Melbourne City FC has announced the club has signed Danish defender Michael Jakobsen ahead of the Hyundai A-League 2016/17 season from Danish Superliga side Esbjerg fB.
The left-footed defender has earned five senior appearances for the Danish national team, having played alongside City goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen and represented Denmark at every youth level.
The 30-year-old joins City on a two-year deal, until the conclusion of the 2017/18 season, adding experience and depth to the team’s back line as Head Coach John van’t Schip continues to strengthen his squad for the upcoming A-League campaign.
Jakobsen had been monitored by City scouts for some time and he was confirmed as a priority when Melbourne City FC Director of Football Michael Petrillo attended a recent scouting summit in Manchester.
A left-sided central defender, Jakobsen played an integral part in Aalborg BK’s Danish Superliga win in 2007/08 and qualification in the 2008/09 UEFA Champions League.
Following 153 appearances for AaB, Jakobsen secured a permanent move to Spanish La Liga side Almeria, before returning to Denmark with Esbjerg fB.
Jakobsen’s arrival at City follows recent signings Tim Cahill, Josh Rose, Neil Kilkenny, Manny Muscat, Bruce Kamau, Daniel Arzani, Ruon Tongyik and Luke Brattan, and the re-signing of Dean Bouzanis, Nick Fitzgerald and Anthony Caceres.
Jakobsen, who will occupy a visa position within the A-League squad, will link up with his new teammates during the Club’s pre-season tour of Townsville next week.
- Jakobsen signs from Danish Superliga side Esbjerg fB
- Five senior caps for Denmark and national teammate of City goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen
- 30-year-old left-footed central defender
- Former clubs include Aalborg BK (Denmark), Almeria (La Liga), Esbjerg (Denmark) and Lillestrom (Norway)
