Newcastle Jets striker Michael Bridges is putting down roots in Australia.

The former Leeds United and Sunderland star is taking out Australian citizenship and settling in the country.

''I'll definitely be taking out citizenship and I plan to be here well after football,'' Bridges told the Herald. ''I love life here and when I was offered the contract I didn't hesitate signing on. I'm keen to stay in football and if the World Cup comes here in the future, football's only going to get bigger.''