With the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia fast approaching, a number of Caltex Socceroos hopefuls have moved clubs in recent weeks to boost their chances of selection.
And with new Socceroos boss Bert van Marwijk certain to be closely monitoring a host of overseas Aussies from his European base, regular first-team football is set to be crucial.
The European transfer window closed overnight with just one notable Aussie involved in a late move.
Here’s a snapshot of some of the deals involving key Socceroos.
CHRIS IKONOMIDIS
The six-cap Socceroo has spent recent seasons on loan in Italy and Denmark from Lazio, with the 22-year-old yet to make his senior debut for the Serie A club.
The attacker has joined Western Sydney Wanderers on loan for the remainder of the Hyundai A-League season as he looks to play regularly.
TIM CAHILL
Perhaps the biggest move of the transfer window, Cahill secured a short-term deal with former club Millwall through to the end of the 2017/18 Championship season.
The 38-year-old departed Melbourne City in early December in search of more game time and will hope that’s exactly what he gets at the Lions.
JAMIE MACLAREN
The ex-Brisbane Roar gun has struggled for game time at German club SV Darmstadt this season and subsequently secured a loan move to Scottish club Hibernian.
Maclaren will spend the remainder of the season in the Scottish Premiership as he looks to impress van Marwijk ahead of Australia’s March friendlies against Norway and Colombia.
RYAN MCGOWAN
The well-travelled defender signed with English League One side Bradford City from UAE club Al-Sharjah through until the end of the 2018/19 season.
APOSTOLOS GIANNOU
After a lean spell in China with Guangzhou R & F which yielded seven goals in 29 matches, Giannou has returned to Europe with Cypriot outfit AEK Larnaca.
ALEX GERSBACH
The ex-Sydney FC youngster found it difficult to break into Rosenborg’s first-team this season in Norway and has since earned a loan move to French Ligue 2 outfit Lens on a six-month deal.
BEN HALLORAN
The six-cap Socceroo has spent recent seasons in Germany’s second tier with Heidenheim but has moved to the J-League with V-Varen Nagazaki in search of more game time.
MITCH LANGERAK
The Socceroos number two has endured difficult spells with Stuttgart (Germany) and Levante (Spain) in recent times, struggling to establish himself as a first-choice shot-stopper.
The 29-year-old opted for a fresh start in Asia and has joined Japanese outfit Nagoya Grampus.
MARK MILLIGAN
One of Australia’s most consistent performers, Milligan signed on as a marquee player for the Hyundai A-League 2017/18 with Melbourne Victory.
But after a solid return to Australia, Milligan departed victory after accepting a lucrative offer to play in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ahli.