Manchester City have loaned new signing Anthony Caceres to Melbourne City for the rest of the A-League season.

Caceres, 23, joined Man City from the Central Coast Mariners last week but will return to Australia with City's sister club Melbourne.

The midfielder's move back Down Under has caused a bit of a stir because A-League clubs are not permitted to sign players for a fee from each other, so Melbourne have found a way to poach one of the division's brighter talents.

Sydney FC chief executive Tony Pignata called for a review of the rules and wrote on Twitter: "The loaning of Caceres to City is wrong."

Caceres made 62 A-League appearances during his time with Central Coast, scoring three goals.