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Glory take Nichols on loan

Mitch Nichols ina ction for Brisbane Roar against Perth Glory in 2011. Pic: Getty Images

Fringe Socceroo Mitch Nichols has been lured to Perth Glory as part of the club’s aggressive off-season recruiting campaign.

Nichols, 25, has signed with Glory on loan from J-League outfit Cerezo Osaka for the 2014-15 A-League season, which begins in October.

Glory have an option to sign the attacking midfielder on a permanent basis at the conclusion of the initial deal.

Nichols joins a growing list of proven A-League players recruited by Glory over the off-season, with Youssouf Hersi, Ruben Zadkovich, Dino Djulbic and Diogo Ferreira already signed up.

Nichols won two championships with Brisbane Roar before joining Melbourne Victory and has made 137 A-League appearances.

He moved to Cerezo Osaka in January and made 10 appearances for the club, including four in the AFC Champions League, but is pleased to be returning to Australia.

“I’m really looking forward to returning to the A-League, playing under Kenny Lowe and joining up with the team he has assembled at Perth,” Nichols said.

“I had options to stay in Japan and even go to Europe on loan, however, I wanted to come back to the A-League.

“I’m excited at what is happening at Perth Glory both on and off the field and at what I think we can, as a team achieve this season.”

Nichols will join his new Glory teammates for pre-season training next week.

He is expected to strengthen a revamped attacking line-up alongside Republic of Ireland international striker Andy Keogh and Dutch winger Hersi.

“Mitch is a very exciting and accomplished A-League player and someone we’re obviously very pleased to have been able to bring into the squad,” coach Lowe said.

Glory could soon add further depth, with the club targeting former Socceroos midfielder Richard Garcia.

The WA product has recently completely a short-term contract in the United States after playing with Sydney FC last season.