The 22-year-old, who can play in defence or midfield, revealed prior to Saturday's under-23 friendly against New Zealand in Sydney he had trials with Arsenal and Manchester City in May.

But he is now resigned to finding a club away from England as "it was not really that feasible at the moment with passport and things like that".

He added in the Daily Telegraph: "It is a very difficult place to get into.

"As I've always said, to make the right move for me, I just don't want to go overseas and just become a number or just sit on the bench.

"I am not just heading overseas for the sake of it. I want to go overseas to play and be able to make my mark."

Milligan, who is in the running to be named captain of the Australia team for the Olympic Games in Beijing, left A-League outfit Sydney six months ago at the end of the last domestic season.

After helping Sydney win the maiden A-League title, Milligan was selected for Australia's 2006 World Cup squad before impressing on the international stage at last year's Asian Cup.

Following the Asian Cup last July, Milligan flew to Europe without the permission of Sydney and was reported to have had trials with Lens and Metz.

On Saturday, Milligan scored twice as the Olyroos beat New Zealand 3-2.