After another season of European football there are a number of Socceroos who will be spending the next few months searching for a new contract on the continent

ANALYSIS

By Ben Somerford

It is never easy for Australian footballers plying their trade in Europe, as they look to prove themselves so far away from home, and these difficulties are made even greater when a player from Down Under is out of work.

This European summer sees several key Socceroos who are free agents go in search of new employers.

Goal.com takes a look at five Australians who will spend the off-season hunting for a new place of employment.

DAVID CARNEY | R eleased by Blackpool





Read more on David Carney

Age: 27



10-11 apps: 14



Intl caps: 39 (6 goals)



Position: Left-midfielder



10-11 goals: 0







Could be a perfect fit for: ADO Den Haag



It has been an unhappy few years for Carney due to a recurrence of a shoulder injury that has interrupted his past two seasons at Blackpool and FC Twente.

Carney seems to produce his best football when wearing green-and-gold, but the reality is that he simply needs to be at full fitness and get an extended run in a side to find his form. The challenge now is to find the right club to do just that. He may look to the Eredivisie again or perhaps drop down to England's second tier.

MILE JEDINAK | R eleased by Genclerbirligi





Read more on Mile Jedinak

Age: 26



10-11 apps: 24



Intl caps: 26 (2 goals)



Position: Midfielder



10-11 goals: 4







Could be a perfect fit for: QPR



The tough-tackling central midfielder enjoyed two-and-a-half solid seasons in Turkey with Genclerbirligi and Antalyaspor but has opted to leave the Super Lig in search of a new challenge.

Jedinak's stock was boosted by his performances at the 2011 Asian Cup, where he scored two goals, reportedly prompting interest from Tottenham. The versatile 26-year-old isn't afraid of a challenge and a move to one of England's physical leagues could suit him.

HARRY KEWELL | R eleased by Galatasaray





Read more on Harry Kewell

Age: 32



10-11 apps: 25



Intl caps: 54 (16 goals)



Position: Left-midfielder



10-11 goals: 8







Could be a perfect fit for: Melbourne Victory





The Australian superstar's 2010-11 season was hampered by injuries, although he still provided decent output for Galatasaray in a poor campaign. Kewell scored eight goals and provided seven assists in all competitions, proving he's still a dangerous player at a high level.

However, the 32-year-old has been shipped around to a number of clubs in Australia's A-League and could be set to return home, although there's been speculation of a move to the United States or even a return to England with QPR.

LUCAS NEILL | Released by Galatasaray





Read more on Lucas Neill

Age: 33



10-11 apps: 33



Intl caps: 72 (0 goals)



Position: Defender



10-11 goals: 0







Could be a perfect fit for: Houston Dynamo





The Socceroos skipper has spent over 15 years in Europe, mainly in England before his 18-month spell in Turkey. Galatasaray endured a poor 2010-11 campaign, but Neill was not to blame for their poor fortunes, producing a solid season in defence.

The defender has lost a yard of pace but is a smart footballer in a positional sense and can still offer a great deal at a high level. There has been some speculation linking him with the United States, following a holiday there over the past week.

DARIO VIDOSIC | R eleased by FC Nurnberg





Read more on Dario Vidosic

Age: 24



10-11 apps: 19



Intl caps: 14 (1 goals)



Position: Winger



10-11 goals: 1







Could be a perfect fit for: Eintracht Frankfurt





The livewire Australian attacker was on the outside at Nurnberg following Dieter Hecking's appointment in December 2009, despite playing a big hand in helping the club to promotion in the 2008-09 season.

Unfortunately for Vidosic, he hasn't been able to set the world on fire during loan spells at 2.Bundesliga clubs MSV Duisburg and Arminia Bielefeld. However, Vidosic has shown he is a capable player but just needs to find a stable situation to build some confidence.