Sydney 2000 Under 23 international Nick Rizzo has won a contract with English League One side Milton Keynes Dons (formerly Wimbledon), after enduring a five-year Italian nightmare.

Rizzo (pictured right) secured a contract with The Dons yesterday and is likely to play some part in the sides crucial match against League One leaders Luton Town tomorrow.

The flashy winger enjoyed great success in England, firstly at Liverpool, where he was on the fringes of the first team, even sitting on the bench in several Premier League games, before moving to Crystal Palace in 1998 under Terry Venables, where he made 41 appearances in two years.

He then made the decision to try his luck in Italy, signing for Serie B side Ternana, but after a bright start and an appearance at the Olympics in 2000 for Australia, things soon turned sour for the youngster.

Injuries plagued his time at Ternana and he quickly fell out of favour and was forced to make a move down a league to the Serie C with AC Prato, where at least he enjoyed regular first team football.

Rizzo though returned to Australia at the end of last season and has returned to England where he hopes to make a big impression for the lowly Dons, who are second last on the table and need some inspiration quickly.

He joins fellow Aussies, defender Gareth Edds and on loan midfielder Richard Johnson at the club. Johnson is in doubt for the match against Luton with an injury.