A-League: Western Sydney Wanderers release skipper Robbie Cornthwaite
IN the blink of an eye Robbie Cornthwaite has gone from almost re-signing as Wanderers captain to returning to Malaysia, proving that ‘things really do move very quickly in football’.
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IN the blink of an eye Robbie Cornthwaite has gone from almost re-signing as Wanderers captain to returning to Malaysia, proving that “things really do move very quickly in football”.
The 32-year-old has signed a two-year deal to join Perak FA just days after agreeing terms to stay at Western Sydney for another year, having received an offer in the meantime he felt unable to refuse.
Cornthwaite previously spent 18 months playing for Perak’s rivals Selangor, also playing in a league XI against Tottenham two years ago, and spent four years at Jeonnam Dragons in Korea.
Cornthwaite was keen to refute suggestions he had fallen out with Wanderers coach Josep Gombau, with the club confirming they were keen for the defender to stay on.
“Earlier in the transfer window I had a few offers from Asia and the A-League which I’d turned down as I wanted to stay at the Wanderers,” Cornthwaite told The Daily Telegraph.
“I told Josep that, and the club had offered me a new deal which I was going to sign after the Adelaide game. Then my agent told me that something had come up, and it was the chance to work with (former Melbourne Victory boss) Mehmet Durakovic, at a club that’s strong.
“Last time I was in Malaysia I had a great time, it’s a really good lifestyle and at my age it might be my last chance to play in Asia.
“I had to make a decision pretty quickly, with the league here starting soon, but my wife was very positive and we decided to do it.
“With Josep there were never any raised voices or tension. We talked honestly with each other, and he had wanted me to stay, so I wish him and the club all the best for the future.”
Cornthwaite’s exit comes after Jacob Melling and Jumpei Kusukami both left the club a fortnight ago, giving Gombau space in his squad to bring in faces he considers more attuned to the attacking style he is implementing. Melling has since signed for the Mariners.
Gombau has already signed Marcelo Carrusca from Melbourne City, after the pair enjoyed a productive relationship when Gombau coached Adelaide.