After five years with Turkish giants Besiktas, Ersan Gulum was bought for a reported $11 million by Chinese side Hebei China Fortune in 2016 - but just two years later the defender will now spend the season in the Victorian State League.
Still only 31, the Australian-born Turkish international has made the surprising decision to join Whittlesea United as a player and coach for their upcoming campaign.
Described as the club's biggest ever signing, Gulum spent last season on loan with Adelaide United and impressed across 22 appearances.
He did however voice his desire to return to Melbourne where he grew up and began his youth football career with Green Gully.
With neither Melbourne City or Victory securing his services in the A-League, Whittlesea have been able to swoop on a player that twice won the the Super Lig with Besiktas.
United won the State League 2 North-West championship earlier this year and are a club on the rise after securing back-to-back promotions.
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