Adelaide United’s defensive exodus appears set to continue, with Kick360 understanding central defender Jordan Elsey set for a move to the Newcastle Jets.
Elsey was believed to have been a denied a move overseas at the end of the 2019/20 season, and with his contract expiring this week the 27-year-old has turned down a deal at the Reds to pursue a new challenge.
Losing out on a required player in favour to an A-League rival will be seen as a significant blow for the Reds, with Adelaide’s offer reportedly falling someway short of the one on the table from the Jets.
Elsey has played 141 games in all competitions for the Reds since making his debut in 2013, winning the FFA Cup in 2018 and 2019, as well as making 17 appearances in Adelaide’s championship winning season in 2016.
Elsey’s departure follows on from the loss of Ryan Strain, who has signed for Israeli Premier League club Maccabi Haifa for an undisclosed fee.
With Strain’s departure Adelaide will finally be able to deploy Spainard Javi Lopez in his natural position of right-back, while left-back represents a significant issue with Ryan Kitto and Josh Cavallo both preferring to play higher up the pitch, the Reds have not had a natural left-back on their books since Michael Maria returned to the Netherlands last year.
Tomi Juric, Michael Jakobsen, Michael Marrone, Nathan Konstandopoulos, Pacifique Niyongabire, Yared Abetew, Dakota Ochsenham and Noah Smith meanwhile will all see their contract’s expire this week.
Juric made it clear upon signing for the Reds that he would look for an overseas deal at the end of the season, however an injury plagued campaign could see him decide to extend his time in South Australia.
Jakobsen was offered a similar deal to Elsey by the Reds but it is not expected to be accepted, while Marrone is also expected to end his long stint at the club.
Yared Abetew has secured a move to Northern New South Wales NPL side Newcastle Olympic.
The club will now have a serious rebuilding job on its hands, while the search for a new Director of Football to replace Bruce Djite is ongoing. As reported by Kick360 earlier this month a former Reds player is believed to have been offered the role.
Image Supplied: Adelaide United
