Manchester City surprised many tonight when they announced that they, along with a consortium that are the owners of rugby team Melbourne Storm, have acquired Australian soccer team Melbourne Heart. City’s move to buy the club has been already approved by the Football Federation of Australia (FFA), and it immediately gives Manchester City a presence down under as they seek to expand their global brand.

In addition to the Melbourne Heart of the A-League, City is a part-owner of New York City FC, which will begin playing in Major League Soccer in the United States in 2015.

“Manchester City and their partners will bring a high level of expertise in football and sports business matters and that can only strengthen the Melbourne Heart and the Hyundai A-League as a whole,” said FFA CEO David Gallop.

In a statement by Manchester City on its club website, the club said that “out of respect for the coaching staff and the players in the middle of the A-League season, the new ownership group will not be making any major announcements until mid-2014.”

Here are tonight’s world soccer news headlines:

Premier League

International soccer

Championship

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