Midfielder Stefan Mauk secures loan move as player departures continue at Adelaide United

A-League club Adelaide United has lost a second experienced midfielder in the space of two weeks.

The player exodus continues at Adelaide United, with experienced midfielder Stefan Mauk leaving the Reds to join a club in Vietnam.

Mauk, 29, will initially join the yet-to-be announced Vietnamese outfit on loan, with the club also having an option to buy the former Australian under-23 international.

Having rejoined the Reds in February last year after a stint with Japanese club Fagiano Okayama, Mauk had been keen to again explore his overseas options.

“This opportunity for me and my family was too good to turn down,” Mauk said.

“I’m excited for this new challenge. I felt like this was the best move for my career.

“I was always so proud to wear the Adelaide United shirt. I grew up watching this club, and it will always be my club.”

Mauk’s departure comes hot on the heels of fellow midfielder Zach Clough’s exit from the Reds, with the Englishman having joined Malaysian club Selangor two weeks ago.

Goalkeeper James Delianov has also departed Adelaide in recent weeks after accepting an offer from rival A-League club Newcastle.

Stefan Mauk has left Adelaide United for a club in Vietnam. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Delianov was part of the Jets side that knocked the Reds out of the Australia Cup on Wednesday night, with a Newcastle side coached by former Adelaide assistant Mark Milligan winning the round-of-32 clash 2-1 at Maitland Sportsground.

Mauk scored Adelaide’s only goal in his final appearance for the club before departing for Vietnam.

Reds coach Airton Andrioli, who tasted defeat in his first competitive match in charge of the club since taking over from Carl Veart, said there was “a lot happening at the club at the moment”.

“With a completely new coaching staff we’re trying to restructure things, and it’s important that we put the structure and the foundations in place now in order to do and be what we wan to be,” Andrioli said.

“From a result perspective, yes we’re disappointed … but this is just the beginning.

“We’re looking specific players, and if we can find them, we will look to bring them in.”

Originally published as Midfielder Stefan Mauk secures loan move as player departures continue at Adelaide United