Australian defender Leijer to join Chongqing Lifan

MELBOURNE - Australian A-League side Melbourne Victory has confirmed that defender Adrian Leijer will join Chinese Super League team Chongqing Lifan on Thursday.

Leijer, 28, signed for Melbourne Victory in its inaugural season in 2005 and has won one league championship with the club. He is expected to sign for Chongqing imminently, pending a medical examination.

It has been reported that the transfer fee is in the region of $157,000.

"Melbourne Victory Football Club can confirm that defender Adrian Leijer has been approached to join Chinese Super League club Chongqing Lifan," a club statement said on Thursday.

"In principle, all parties have agreed to and, given the transfer window in China closes tomorrow... Leijer has departed for China today to undertake medical testing.

"As a result, Leijer won't be training this week and will also not be available for selection for Melbourne Victory's A-League match against Wellington Phoenix on Sunday."

Leijer left Melbourne Victory in 2007 and had brief stints at Fulham in the Premier League and Norwich in the Championship, before returning to Australia and rejoining the club in 2009.

In total, he has made 176 A-League appearances for Melbourne Victory and has one senior international cap for Australia.