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Al-Ittihad sign Matthew Jurman from Suwon Samsung Bluewings


Australian national team defender Matthew Jurman has a new home after signing with Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad.

The 28-year-old was part of the Socceroos' World Cup squad but was one of eight players who didn't see a minute of action under Bert van Marwijk in Russia.

The pain of that snub will be soothed somewhat by his deal with the Jeddah-based club, which is reportedly worth $4 million over two years.

Fringe Socceroo James Troisi spent six months at Al-Ittihad in 2015, making only eight league appearances before terminating his contract due to unpaid wages.

Jurman will be hopeful he doesn't suffer the same fate as he shifts his focus to January's Asian Cup in the nearby United Arab Emirates, where he could be a key player for the Socceroos under new coach Graham Arnold.

Jurman played under Arnold at Sydney FC and may find himself partnering Trent Sainsbury in defence as veteran Mark Milligan mulls international retirement.

A naturally left-sided stopper, Jurman left the Sky Blues in early 2017 for South Korean side Suwon Samsung Bluewings -- just before they claimed the A-League double.

He was a regular in the K-League last year but only played four times this season for Suwon as he recovered from a minor knee surgery.