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Manchester City have secured a deal to take over an Australian A-League club.

Melbourne Heart become the second Blues franchise overseas following the launching of New York City FC, who are set to start competing in the MLS in the 2015 season.

City CEO Ferran Soriano told the club website: "We are excited about the opportunity to make Melbourne Heart one of the most successful football clubs in Australia and throughout the region."

But what sort of club have City acquired? Here's a quick guide.

History

Heart have a relatively short history, having been formed just five years ago in 2009.

According to the club website: "Drawing a link between past, present and future, the Heart’s founders aimed to develop a club truly representative of the wider Victorian football public, hoping to build an identity and guiding philosophy future generations will identify as the beating heart of Melbourne’s newest team."

The club have been in the Australian A-League since their inception and play in red and white striped home shirts.

Results

This is Heart's fourth year in the A-League, and the club have enjoyed some success. A sixth-placed finish in the 2010/11 season was enough for them to qualify for the finals.

Since then, results have not been great though. The following year saw Heart achieve their worst-ever finish when they came ninth out of 10, and this year they threaten to break that record.

The side currently prop up the A -League with a miserable eight points from 15 games. The team directly above them - Wellington Phoenix - have nine points more. They don't even have bragging rights in the city, with Melbourne Victory way ahead in fourth place.

Key details

Harry Kewell is the name that possibly stands out most; the former Liverpool star is the club captain. Kewell, who hails from Sydney, played for Victory for a season before joining their rivals, although his campaign has been disrupted by injuries.

Head coach John van't Schip had a long and distinguished playing career for Ajax, Genoa and the Netherlands in the 80s and 90s. He also had management spells at Dutch sides Twente and Ajax before becoming Hart's inaugural coach. Van't Schip left in 2012 to take over Mexican club Guadalajara but is now back at Heart after John Aloisi's contract was terminated in December 2013.

The Australian public have had a major say on the formation of the club. The name Melbourne Heart FC was chosen after the Herald Sun website asked readers for suggestions. The club's third-kit was also picked from entries submitted by fans.

Did you know?

- Renowned global rocker Jon Bon Jovi signed as Melbourne Heart FC's inaugural international No.1 ticket holder before the club's first A-League season.

- Only Wellington Phoenix had a lower average attendance in 2012/13. Heart averaged 8,860.

- Former City player and Australian international Simon Colismo was the first captain of the club.

- Eli Bablj, who now plays for Dutch side AZ, is Heart's all-time top scorer with 12 goals in 44 appearances.