PHOTO: Michael Clarke and his then wife, Kyly, on the red carpet at the 2013 Allan Border Medal. They bought it in 2014, two years after they were married. Picture: Joe Castro Source: AAP

Cricket legend Michael Clarke has sold the luxury mansion he bought with former wife Kyly during a $12m under-the-table deal with a mate — before agents had a chance to put it to the market.

The five bedroom, six bathroom home with eight garages in the exclusive harbourside suburb of Vaucluse sold in a top secret negotiation last night.

Several top Double Bay agents have been shown through the residence in recent weeks with a view to it going to market. The anticipated price guide had been $10m.

But the Wentworth Courier heard whispers today — later confirmed — that an off-market deal has already been done, with a friend of the former Australian skipper winning the keys.

The Clarkes announced they were divorcing last February.

It’s not known which agent is behind the hush-hush transaction. But the rumour mill suggests LJ Hooker Double Bay principal Bill Malouf — who had the listing for Clarke’s Bondi sub-penthouse when it sold for $7.25m last February amid news of the pending divorce — was the most likely agent to have struck the Vaucluse deal. When contacted tonight, Malouf gave his usual response for confidential negotiations: “No comment.”

Apart from Malouf, celebrity accountant Anthony Bell — known to act for Clarke — is also rumoured to have had a hand in the the off-market transaction.

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