Adelaide United star Craig Goodwin on cusp of finalising move to Saudi Arabian club
Adelaide United’s biggest superstar is almost certain to leave the club after the Reds confirmed they had received an offer from a Saudi Arabian club.
Adelaide United has confirmed star winger Craig Goodwin is on the cusp of finalising a move to Saudi Arabia.
The Socceroos wideman was expected to complete his transfer to Al-Wehda in the coming days, after the four-time Pro League champion triggered a buyout clause in his contract.
Speculation surrounding Goodwin’s future had been rife throughout the pre-season as the Reds fought to stave off overseas interest in their prized asset.
But United director of football Bruce Djite on Monday revealed the SA-born talent’s departure was imminent, just one season into his return to the club.
“If they’re going to pay the transfer clause and Goodie wants to go there ... you can’t stop them,” Djite said.
“We always envisaged he would probably go back to Europe, but if he wants to go the Middle East ... that’s up to him.
“He was obviously not someone we were looking to off-load.
“It’s a big loss in regard to the season he (Goodwin) had last year.
“But from our position we’ve got depth there (wide players) and it frees up quite a bit of (salary) cap space as well to find a replacement.”
Goodwin shone in his first campaign back at Adelaide, scoring 10 goals and grabbing a league-high nine assists to earn a national team recall last month.
The 27-year-old had signed a three-year deal with his hometown team last May after two seasons with Dutch top flight side Sparta Rotterdam.
But another opportunity on foreign soil will likely prove too much to resist, as Al-Wheda tabled an undisclosed transfer fee for Goodwin two days ago.
The exit of the four-cap Socceroo will be a major blow for the Reds just two months on from captain and midfield linchpin Isaias’s move to Qatari side Al-Wakrah.
“It’s difficult to hold on to your better players in the A-League because of the (salary) cap,” Djite said.
“You’re operating with one particular set of rules and the rest of the world is a free market.
“When Isaias left the fan reaction was as expected and when Goodwin leaves the fan reaction will be as expected as well.
“You want the fans to be upset that their best players are leaving because they’re passionate about their club.
“But long-time fans have had favourite players before them and they’ll have favourite players after them as well.
“Is it easy to get a replacement (for Goodwin)? No it’s very difficult.
“But everyone is replaceable.”
Goodwin trained with Adelaide on Monday, but was unlikely to line-up in the club’s first pre-season friendly against NPL SA side MetroStars on Tuesday night.
Meanwhile, Djite said United was close to securing its second signing of the off-season, following the return of young gun Riley McGree.
An unnamed Dutchman, who can operate as a left back or defensive midfielder, was due to touch down on Tuesday to complete a medical with the Reds.
The arrival had previously worked with countryman and new Adelaide coach Gertjan Verbeek in their homeland.
“The coach is happy about it (because) it’s a player he’s had before and a good level player,” Djite said.
“He’s very attacking in his play.
“This Goodwin thing has come up in the last 48 hours, but this (new) guy was on his way as of 10 days ago.
“He was to bolster the squad, but we need a bit more bolstering now.
“We still need a few more signings, so obviously there’s still a lot of hard work to do.”