Twist after AFL star’s shock trade request

An influencer who left behind her AFL star boyfriend to become an airline hostess in Dubai has hit back at suggestions she’s to blame for his shock trade request.

A furious WAG has hit back at suggestions her AFL star boyfriend requested a trade out of Adelaide because she couldn’t bear living in the city.

Ivan Soldo sparked a media frenzy this week after asking to be traded by Port Adelaide just one season into a three-year contract signed 12 months ago.

The star ruckman has had a turbulent time in Adelaide after a high-profile move from Richmond at the end of the 2023 season.

His influencer partner Chelsea Becirevic, 23, left him behind in May to become a flight hostess with Emirates in Dubai after struggling to adjust to life in Adelaide.

The pair continued dating long-distance, but Becirevic has since quit the job and flown back to Australia to be with her partner as he navigates his next move.

Chelsea Becirevic, the partner of AFL star Ivan Soldo, has lashed out at suggestions she’s to blame for her partner’s request to return to Melbourne. Picture: Instagram

The glamorous influencer moved to Dubai in May after struggling to adjut to life in Adelaide. The pair contnued dating long-distance and she has since returned to Australia. Picture: Instagram

“I’m honestly fed up with the ridiculous narrative that keeps circulating. I’ve stayed silent for far too long, but it’s time to set the record straight,” she told her 66,000 Instagram followers.

“Somehow I’ve become the centre of attention for a trade that has nothing to do with me. I genuinely don’t understand where this information is coming from.

“Not that it’s anyone business but, I moved back from Dubai to support my boyfriend, and somehow I find myself being dragged through the media.

“It’s disappointing to see the same old story – where the girls gets blamed for everything.”

Becirevic insisted she had “never spoken poorly about Adelaide either.”

The glamorous influencer also shot down rumours she had split from Soldo, revealing she “hated long distance” and “missed Australia so much” during their brief period apart.

She said her time at Emirates was “fun while it lasted”.

“It’s a great way to meet so many different people and have a bit of fun,” she said.

“If you wanna travel it’s a great way to do that. But it’s definitely glamourised a lot online. For me personally, I was super homesick and found the job super isolating.”

The 23-year-old said she was “fed up” with the narrative that she influenced Soldo’s request to leave Port Adelaide. Picture: Instagram

She also revealed why she quit her dream job with Emirates after just a few months. Picture: Instagram

It’s a marked change in attitude for Becirevic, who earlier this year said the “novelty” of living in Adelaide had worn off quickly.

Despite emphasising that her relationship with Soldo remained solid, she admitted living in Adelaide had been a “struggle”.

“He had to move to Adelaide for his career and tbh it’s been a struggle for me. It [living in Adelaide] is just not for me permanently,” she said.

“Temporarily it’s fine. But long term in Aus I think Melbourne or Gold Coast are for me... maybe even Syd.”

Becirevic sparked headlines earlier this year after saying it was a “struggle” for her to live in Adelaide. Picture: Instagram.

Her comments are part of why Soldo’s request to return to Melbourne has attracted so much attention.

According to AFL Media’s Callum Twomey, Soldo “didn’t settle into living in Adelaide and after a year is keen to get back to Melbourne”.

Soldo, who is still contracted with the Power until 2026, has reportedly settled on St Kilda as his club of preference, but has not formally nominated the club as Port seeks to begin trade negotiations with Victorian clubs.

Soldo would potentially be a formidable ruck partner alongside Rowan Marshall.

The 2.04m giant only played eight AFL games this year and was eventually forced out of the senior side by Jordon Sweet.

Originally published as Twist after AFL star’s shock trade request