Australian international defender Trent Sainsbury has made a giant leap from the Chinese Super League to one of Europe's biggest clubs after signing with Inter MIlan.

The Serie A giants announced the signing of Sainsbury on a short-term deal from Chinese club Jiangsu Suning, posting a brief confirmation of the deadline day loan signing. The 25-year-old's loan contract is only for the remainder of the season, making him the second signing of newly appointed coach Stefano Pioli.

Sainsbury became one of Australia's highest earning players when he joined Jiangsu early 2016 where he played alongside the likes of Brazilian stars Ramires and Alex Teixeira.

He previously spent one-and-a-half seasons in The Netherlands with Eredivisie side PEC Zwolle after winning an A-League title with Central Coast Mariners.

Italian job: Trent Sainsbury will play the rest of the season at Italian giants Inter Milan. Credit:Getty Images

Sainsbury is now the second Australian player at Inter Milan, alongside 18-year-old youth international, Reno Piscopo.