Adelaide United FC’s activity in the January transfer window has continued with defender Iain Fyfe set to leave the Reds to join South Korean club Busan I’Park at the end of the month in what is a win-win for all parties involved.
Having secured Uruguayan Francisco Usucar and Dutch winger Andy Slory during the month long period which gives clubs the opportunity to approach players and make offers, the Reds found themselves on the other side of the trade table with confirmation that Fyfe would be heading to Busan I-Park, the same club former Reds midfielder Inseob Shin has also joined.
The Korean club revealed its interest in Fyfe, whose contract with the Reds was set to expire at the end of the 2011/12 season. Adelaide United accepted the offer, giving the 28 year old the opportunity he was after to further his career in the profitable K-League.
“I-ve always had an ambition to play overseas and this is a great opportunity to do that,” Fyfe said.
“It was a really tough decision to make leaving Adelaide at this time with the club in a good position to try and win the championship, but opportunities like this don-t come around every day. It-s a step forward in my career and I-ve got no doubt my team mates here can win the title without me.”
While letting Fyfe go at this stage of the Hyundai A-League season could be thought to possibly unsettle and disrupt the Reds- attempts to claim second spot on the table leading into the finals series, Head Coach Rini Coolen says the positives far outweigh any negatives.
“We always want to encourage players who want to take their career to a higher level, and this is what Fyfey is eager to do,” Coolen said.
“He expressed his strong desire to go there and you can-t stop the player if he really wants to go.”
“We do not want to prevent players from wanting to take another step, and there are many good things to come out of it, both for Fyfey and the club.”
Adelaide United has received an undisclosed fee for Fyfe-s move to Busan I-Park, while Coolen also confirmed the Reds have secured a backup for Fyfe, although the club will not be making any further comment until Monday.
“Fyfey has been a good player for us, but these things happen in football and I think it is a real positive story for him and the club as well,” Coolen said.
“We have another player who will join us, and we hope to announce something in a few days.”
Fyfe-s move to Korea follows a similar script to that of former Reds enforcer Sasa Ognenovski, who was offered a lucrative deal from K-League giants Seongnam Ilhwa after an impressive season in Adelaide.
In a combined total of 139 Hyundai A-League appearances (88 for Sydney FC and 51 for Adelaide United), Fyfe has started in every one of the Reds- 25 matches this season, scoring an impressive four goals, and the championship winning defender with Sydney FC is grateful for the chance to pursue his career elsewhere.
“I really appreciate how the club has handled the situation and that they have given me the chance to further my career,” Fyfe said.
“Since I came over from Sydney, the club and the fans have been great to me. I have thoroughly enjoyed it, particularly being able to represent my home state in the A-League. It has meant a lot to me and I cannot thank my team mates, the club and all of the supporters enough.”
Fyfe-s last two games for the Reds will be against North Queensland Fury on January 21 before he is expected to play his farewell match against the Central Coast Mariners at Hindmarsh Stadium on January 29.
