Aaron Mooy has received a ringing endorsement as the English football season nears its conclusion, being named in the Championship's best XI for 2016-17.
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On loan from Premier League giants Manchester City, the former A-League star has been a shining light for Huddersfield Town, who currently sit third on the ladder - just ahead of bitter rivals Leeds United. Mooy is joined in the team by Leeds' striker and New Zealand international Chris Wood, who is currently the division's top scorer with 24.
Mooy's manager David Wagner was named the best boss of the year, and his teammate Tommy Smith was also included at fullback. There were also four players from Brighton and Hove Albion, two from Newcastle United and Leeds, and one from Fulham.
After returning to Australia from Scotland's St Mirren to become one of the Western Sydney Wanderers' inaugural signings in 2012, the 26-year-old then moved to Melbourne City two years later and became one of the A-League's most exciting attacking threats.
Grabbing 18 goals from midfield across two campaigns, he formed a potent partnership with Uruguayan??? striker Bruno Fornaroli in the 2015-16 season, where the two were heavily involved as City broke the record for the most goals ever scored by a club in a single year.
That form was enough to make his bosses at City Football Group sit up and take notice - he was transferred to the English giants from their Australian sister club before the season started, and subsequently loaned out to Huddersfield, who may well be playing in the Premier League for the first time ever in the 2017-18 season.
#EFLAwards: The @FootballManager Team of the Season for the @SkyBetChamp ???? pic.twitter.com/WsxMT723b7??? Sky Bet Championship (@SkyBetChamp) March 20, 2017
The Terriers are six points behind Brighton in the battle for second place, but have a game in hand and at the very least look certain of a spot in the promotion play-offs.
"Aaron is a very interesting, exciting player who our fans may know as he played well against England before the start of Euro 2016," said manager Wagner when the signing was announced in July, but even he could not have expected the Australian to become arguably the signing of the season.
Mooy has represented Australia 21 times at senior level, and will likely add to that this week as the Socceroos take on Iraq and the UAE in World Cup qualifiers.
