Danny Allsopp has joined Qatar's Al Rayyan for an undisclosed fee from A-League champions Melbourne Victory. The 31-year-old forward won the league title twice in four full seasons with the Victory, scoring 36 goals in 89 appearances, and was in the last year of his contract at the Etihad Stadium.

Victory coach Ernie Merrick had quashed rumours of a proposed transfer after Allsopp missed last Thursday's 1-1 draw against Newcastle Jets with a reported hamstring injury. He scored once in the first four games of the new season as Melbourne made a slow start to their title defence.

I really enjoyed myself here. They've been the best years of my career and I want to thank everyone for all their help.
Danny Allsopp on leaving Melbourne Victory

"I really enjoyed myself here. They've been the best years of my career and I want to thank everyone for all their help," said Allsopp, who was a member of Melbourne's inaugural A-League squad.

"I came to the club when we didn't really have anything. Nobody knew who Melbourne Victory was and now it's pretty big here in Melbourne. It's sad that I'm parting ways for the time being to take this chance."

Allsopp won the golden boot in 2007 with 12 goals as the Victory won the first of their A-League crowns, and made his Australia debut the same year as a second-half substitute against Uruguay in Sydney. He forged an impressive partnership with Archie Thompson at Melbourne as the pair combined to score 77 goals in just over four seasons.

"Danny has been part of Melbourne Victory since day one and will forever be a part of the club's history," said Victory Football Operations Manager Gary Cole. "To put it simply, Danny has been a tremendous player over the past five seasons and leaves as the club's record games holder and second highest goalscorer."