Allsopp returns home to Victory

Former Major League Soccer striker Danny Allsopp has returned to Australia to play for A-League outfit Melbourne Victory.

Allsopp, a foundation member and championship winner with the Victory, played last season in the United States, but will rejoin his home club in January after signing a two-and-a-half year deal, which runs until the end of the 2012-13 season.

The 32-year-old made 32 appearances for MLS club DC United last campaign, scoring five goals, after an short, ill-fated stint for Al-Rayyan in the Qatari Stars League in 2009.

“When things didn’t quite work out overseas, there was only once place I wanted to be – and that was here at Melbourne Victory,” Allsopp said on Friday.

“We achieved so much in those first four years, and now I’m really keen to get back out there with the boys again and help push us towards the finals.”

Allsopp, who is the third highest goal scorer in A-League history, is awaiting an international clearance and is likely to play his first game back in the away clash with Wellington Phoenix on January 5.

His signing comes at a crucial time with the club on the cusp of a finals berth and with key striker Archie Thompson likely to be on the sidelines for three weeks with a hamstring injury.

The club could also lose goal sneak Robbie Kruse to the Socceroos’ squad for the Asian Cup in January.

“With Archie out for the next month, this signing couldn’t have come at a better time,” Victory coach Ernie Merrick said.

“Danny already knows how we like to play, so we’re confident he’ll hit the ground running.”