Former Luton, Fulham, and Manchester United midfielder Tunnicliffe signs with A-League team Adelaide United and makes his first professional overseas move.
Ryan Tunnicliffe, a former midfielder for Luton, has joined Adelaide United of the Australian A-League.
After being released by Portsmouth in May, the 30-year-old had been a free agent for the previous four months, but he has since left the country to join the Reds.
The youthful ex-Manchester United player joined Kenilworth Road in the summer of 2019 and went on to play in 68 games while tallying three goals.
He was let go two seasons after joining Portsmouth, despite playing 69 times and scoring three goals while at Fratton Park.
As Adelaide’s season gets underway against Central Coast Mariners next month, Tunnicliffe, who was released in the summer, has finally signed a contract with the club.
I’m totally over the moon to have signed for United, and it provides a fantastic challenge and change for me after playing in England my entire life, he said in a statement to the club’s official website.
“I’ll be leaning on guys like Zach Clough to help get me settled and I can’t wait to play at Coopers Stadium which is one of the best grounds in the league and comparable to England I hear.
“You see more and more of the A-League over in the UK with plenty moving over all the time, so this seems like a natural fit for me and I can’t wait to get started.”
Adelaide manager Carl Veart added: “Ryan has a wealth of experience in the game with a never-say-die mentality, and we’re really looking forward to his leadership and grit on the park this season.
“He is the perfect player for United as we feel he will fit the mould and physicality of the A-League perfectly.
“As someone who has been in Championship and Premier League changerooms for most of his career, his football technical ability and the professionalism he will bring can only boost the entire squad.”
