I really hope this doesn't happen.
Caceres shifts to Coast
Grantley Bernard
MELBOURNE Victory championship winger Adrian Caceres is on the move. The attacking left-footer has signed with Central Coast Mariners for the next two A-League seasons.
The move ends protracted negotiations that had him in limbo as he decided whether to stay in Melbourne or move to Gosford.
In the end, Caceres decided the Mariners offered a better opportunity, but it is expected the former Perth Glory player will be part of Victory's Asian Champions League squad as he is contracted until June 30.
While Victory signed attacking midfielder Billy Celeski from Glory this week, Caceres presence will add to Melbourne's depth as it begins its Asian campaign on March 12 against Chunnam Dragons at Telstra Dome.
"Adrian's registered, along with all other Melbourne Victory players, for the AFC Champions League," Victory football operations manager Gary Cole said yesterday.
"His contract expires on June 30, so we expect him to go through and honour that."
Although Caceres is an exciting and skilful player who played 20 of Victory's 21 games this season, he started only 11 and was substituted in many of those because of his inconsistency and defensive shortcomings.
Even so, Victory was eager for him to stay for at least a third season, but could not agree to terms with the Argentine-born 26-year-old, who migrated to Australia as a young child.
"The contract renewal process initially started around three months ago and has been more hands-on over the last five weeks," Cole said.
"We tried very hard to keep Adrian and we've given it our best shot, but it is not to be, so we wish him well.
"He's been a good player, the fans like him and he's done a good job, but he obviously thinks moving to Central Coast is a better opportunity for him.
"That's the nature of football. Players come and players go and we'll replace him and replace him well."
It is likely Victory will make a bid to sign Mariners midfielder Tom Pondeljak, who was instrumental in helping the team to the A-League minor premiership.
Caceres shifts to Coast
Grantley Bernard
MELBOURNE Victory championship winger Adrian Caceres is on the move. The attacking left-footer has signed with Central Coast Mariners for the next two A-League seasons.
The move ends protracted negotiations that had him in limbo as he decided whether to stay in Melbourne or move to Gosford.
In the end, Caceres decided the Mariners offered a better opportunity, but it is expected the former Perth Glory player will be part of Victory's Asian Champions League squad as he is contracted until June 30.
While Victory signed attacking midfielder Billy Celeski from Glory this week, Caceres presence will add to Melbourne's depth as it begins its Asian campaign on March 12 against Chunnam Dragons at Telstra Dome.
"Adrian's registered, along with all other Melbourne Victory players, for the AFC Champions League," Victory football operations manager Gary Cole said yesterday.
"His contract expires on June 30, so we expect him to go through and honour that."
Although Caceres is an exciting and skilful player who played 20 of Victory's 21 games this season, he started only 11 and was substituted in many of those because of his inconsistency and defensive shortcomings.
Even so, Victory was eager for him to stay for at least a third season, but could not agree to terms with the Argentine-born 26-year-old, who migrated to Australia as a young child.
"The contract renewal process initially started around three months ago and has been more hands-on over the last five weeks," Cole said.
"We tried very hard to keep Adrian and we've given it our best shot, but it is not to be, so we wish him well.
"He's been a good player, the fans like him and he's done a good job, but he obviously thinks moving to Central Coast is a better opportunity for him.
"That's the nature of football. Players come and players go and we'll replace him and replace him well."
It is likely Victory will make a bid to sign Mariners midfielder Tom Pondeljak, who was instrumental in helping the team to the A-League minor premiership.
