Larsson talks to Gold Coast about move to Australia

Published on Tuesday 23 June 2009 22:10

CELTIC legend Henrik Larsson is in discussions with Australian side Gold Coast United about playing nine A-League matches Down Under this season.

The 37-year-old former Celtic, Barcelona and Manchester United striker currently plays in the Swedish first division with Helsinborg, whom he joined in 2006 from the Catalan giants.

The Gold Coast deal would mirror the one Larsson signed when he temporarily left Helsingborg in 2007 to join Manchester United on a short-term loan. With the Swedish first division starting and finishing in the same calendar year, Larsson, capped 104 times for his country, could join Gold Coast for a similarly short period before returning for the 2010 domestic season. Coast coach Miron Bleiberg has confirmed that negotiations with Sweden captain Larsson are ongoing. Strict salary cap restrictions, however, prevent most A-League players from earning the big money on offer in Europe. Last season, Football Federation Australia agreed to raise the average A-League wage to $125, 000 (62,500) a season from 2010.

The current A-League top earners, including former Socceroos international John Aloisi and Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler, can earn higher wages as 'marquee' players outside of the salary cap. Larsson, who scored 174 goals in 221 appearances in eight seasons at Celtic Park, would join Gold Coast United on marquee terms.