AARON MOOY’S move to Manchester City has transformed the midfielder’s life, making him one of the highest-paid Australian footballers.

Mooy sealed a move to the English Premier League giants on Thursday, joining from sister club Melbourne City and staying underneath the City Football Group (CFG) umbrella.

There was plenty of interest in the Socceroo midfielder from across the continent but Mooy’s decision to stay in the City family has reaped him rich dividends.

It’s understood the 25-year-old’s contract is worth around AU$4 million a year and lasts until 2020, setting the Socceroo up for life.

Aaron Mooy. Source: Getty Images

Only a handful of Australians have earned similar wages.

Lucas Neill’s weekly wage of STG65,000 at West Ham equated to an annual pay-packet of over A$6 million, with Mark Viduka and Harry Kewell earning similar amounts during their time in the Premier League.

Tim Cahill’s highest wage at Everton approached a similar level, with the all-time Socceroos leading goalscorer able to extend his earning capacity with lucrative stints in USA and China.

While Manchester City have put Mooy on Premier League wages, it’s unlikely he will earn his wages playing in the English top tier.

Tim Cahill. Source: Getty Images

He could travel with City to Germany and China on their pre-season tour later this month but cracking into Pep Guardiola’s star-laden first-team for the Premier League season may be a bridge too far.

A loan deal to a European club or to England’s second-tier Championship has been mooted for Mooy, who set an A-League record last season by creating 21 assists.

It remains to be seen whether clubs that missed out on a permanent deal for the midfielder will rekindle their interest with a view for a loan deal for the upcoming 2016/17 season.

Belgian outfit Club Brugge were heavily linked, as were clubs in the Netherlands, Germany and Turkey.

Pep Guardiola. Source: Getty Images

Additionally, City has loan arrangements with several European clubs - including Spain’s Espanyol.

With key Socceroos matches on the radar, national team boss Ange Postecoglou will be keen to ensure Mooy doesn’t swap regular first-team football for a long spell on the sidelines.

Mooy has developed into a fundamental part of Postecoglou’s team while at Melbourne City, most recently impressing in Australia’s 2-1 loss to England in May.

The Socceroos have five World Cup qualifiers between September and November, including a home date with arch-rivals Japan back in Melbourne, that will require Mooy’s participation.