Canberran Nikolai Topor-Stanley will not play in Newcastle Jets colours next season, despite taking home the club's player of the year honours last month.
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Rumours are swirling he could be heading to Melbourne based club, Western United, after the club farewelled central defender Brendan Hamill. If so, Topor-Stanley could join Tomoki Imai in centre back, alongside fullbacks Ben Garuccio, Dylan Pierias, Josh Risdon and Ivan Vujica.
He was left off the players officially released by the Jets at the end of last season and had indicated he hoped to remain at the club.
However, new head coach Arthur Papas signed five defenders for the Jets roster and left the former vice-captain's name off his list.
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The 36-year-old's departure from the Newcastle side was officially announced on Monday.
"I want to thank all the people of Newcastle that have been part of my football journey with the Jets," Topor-Stanley said.
"It has been an honour to represent the region and it's people each and every time I've stepped onto the pitch.
The central defender played every minute of every game in the past four A-League seasons and intended to continue playing professionally when he spoke to The Canberra Times in June.
Isobel Cootes
Sports reporter at The Canberra Times. A Novocastrian with a passion for football (or soccer as they call it in the capital) via The Examiner and The Port Lincoln Times.
Sports reporter at The Canberra Times. A Novocastrian with a passion for football (or soccer as they call it in the capital) via The Examiner and The Port Lincoln Times.
