Player Exodus?

Following Archie Thompson's loan move to PSV, there has been a stampede of players leaving or requesting loan moves away from their A-League clubs.

Perth Glory has received an offer from Kallithea (currently propping up the top flight in Greece) for Simon Colosimo. FCU Poli Timisoara (4th in Divizia A), who are coached by Romanian legend Gheorghe Hagi, have enquired into the availability of Sydney FC quartet Sasho Petrovski, David Carney, Iain Fyfe and Dwight Yorke. Michael Baird will be released from his two-year contract at the end of the season in order to pursue a career with Universitatea Craiova (1st in Divizia B Serie II), the same team that snatched Karl Dodd from the Roar just before the transfer deadline.

Still in Queensland, Jordan Simpson has cut ties with the Roar. Officially, he is returning to hometown Sydney in order to move closer to his family and pursue academic studies. According to the Courier Mail, however, it seems that Simpson's relationship with Miron Bleiberg may have been a large factor in the decision. Simpson's twin brother Tyler remains with the Roar.

So long as Perth remain in contention, Colosimo will probably be asked to stay. Likewise the players from Sydney, who will certainly be featuring in the finals. But as more sides fade out of championship contention over the coming weeks, the rate of players leaving their clubs is likely to increase. With a transfer deadline that extends until the day of the A-League final, Romania will remain an attractive option for players, both those seeking a transfer and others wishing a loan move before the World Cup. It's also apparent that many players on one-year contracts will not have their deals extended as clubs reassess their financial positions and goals for next season. A mass return of players to the state leagues could well be on the cards.