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Ivan Franjic leaves Melbourne City for K-League side Daegu FC

Asian Cup winner Ivan Franjic has left A-League club Melbourne City for a first stint in Asian football.

City have released the 29-year-old after two injury-plagued seasons to sign with Korean side Daegu FC.

He told the club's website he was eager for a new challenge.

"We know that the K-League is a high-level league," he said.

"I left Melbourne City to try myself out and to challenge myself. I will do my best to finish the season at the highest possible position of Daegu FC."

Daegu FC described Franjic as a "right-side defensive resource, with threatening overlapping, crossing, and medium-range shooting strengths."

Franjic joined City after winning the Asian Cup with the Socceroos and a troubled stint at Torpedo Moscow.

He failed to reach his best football in Melbourne after falling victim to a soft-tissue injury in season one and an unusual inflammatory condition in season two.

City have terminated his contract two years into his three-year deal, meaning he won't get the chance to play under new coach Warren Joyce.

It also means City will be fielding a new-look defence under Joyce, having also signed Iacopo La Rocca and Scott Jamieson, as well as goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic.