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Former Young Socceroo striker Kerem Bulut signs with Greek club Iraklis

 

Former Australia U23 striker Kerem Bulut has signed a three-year deal with Greek side Iraklis after parting ways with 2014 AFC Champions League winners Western Sydney Wanderers.

The former Sydney FC youth team player joins Iraklis, who have just been promoted from Greece's second division, on a free transfer with a view to re-launching his career in Europe after previous spells in Turkey and the Czech Republic.

Bulut, 23, scored five goals in nine A-League appearances in 2014-15 and was one of the bright spots in a disappointing campaign in which Western Sydney finished ninth in the 10-team league.

He scored two goals on his Western Sydney debut in a 4-3 loss against his former club Sydney FC.

He also appeared in Wanderers' AFC Champions League campaign, quickly becoming a cult figure with the club's fans. But he had earlier signaled his intention to return to Europe in a bid to boost his hopes of breaking into the senior Australian national team.

"I admire the Iraklis team, its history and what it represents today," Bulut told the A-League's official website.

"I am grateful and happy that I am doing what I love most as a member of a major club. I pledge to work hard with the other players to continue to move Iraklis forward."

Iraklis were relegated to the second tier in 2011. Last decade, they were regulars in the UEFA Cup, appearing three times between 2001 and 2006.

"I welcome Kerem Bulut to the big family of Iraklis and I am sure he will do everything to help the team achieve its goals next season," Iraklis coach Nikos Papadopoulos said.

Capped by Australia at U17, U20 and U23 level, Bulut spent three years at Czech club Mlada Boleslav and one season at Turkish side Akhisar Belediyespor, with a loan spell at Karsiyaka.

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