Ex-Hibs and Celtic ace Liam Miller joins Cork City

Liam Miller, pictured at Easter Road, has signed for Cork City. Picture: Neil Hanna

Ballincollig-born Miller, who has spent three-and-a-half years in Australia’s A-League with Brisbane Roar, Perth Glory and Melbourne City, told Cork City’s official website: “I am delighted to be returning home. I will be proud to wear the Cork City jersey and do what I can for the team in front of all my family and friends.”

Miller, 33, was capped 21 times by the Republic of Ireland scoring once in a 3-0 friendly win over Sweden in 2006 and earned a move to Manchester United after just a handful of impressive performances for Celtic and a loan spell for Danish outfit AGF.

However, after just nine league games for United, and a loan spell with Leeds, he moved onto Sunderland and QPR before joining Hibernian in 2009 after a phone call to John Hughes.

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He quickly impressed at Easter Road, picking up the Player of the Month gong for October 2009, but his form dipped and he was dropped after the arrival of Colin Calderwood.

Despite indicating a preference to stay at Hibs, the player and club could not agree a deal and he left for Australia in 2011 to sign for Perth Glory.

Miller, who will join up with his new team-mates for pre-season training, will be officially unveiled later this month.

Cork City manager John Caulfield said: “It is a real marquee signing for us to get a player of Liam’s quality.

“Having a Cork lad like Liam coming home is a major signing and a big boost for us at the start of pre-season.

“He has played in Europe with Celtic and Manchester United, and of course he has played internationally with Ireland as well, so he has huge experience, but, most importantly for me, he is still in peak condition, still at the top of his game and full of energy.”

Miller will join up with former Celtic team-mate and fellow Ballincollig-born Colin Healy, and Billy Dennehy, who was on Sunderland’s books at the same time.

Cork City begin their League of Ireland campaign away to Sligo Rovers on March 7, and have four friendly matches lined up this month against PSC Academy, Roscommon, Finn Harps and Athlone.

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