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Mark Bridge leaves Wanderers, signs with Chiangrai United

27th May, 2016
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Western Sydney all-time leading goal-scorer Mark Bridge has officially left the A-League club to join Thai Premier League outfit Chiangrai United.

It means the May 1 A-League grand final loss to Adelaide United was Bridge’s final game for the club, despite him having been contracted for the 2016-17 season.

The deal with Chiangrai United is reportedly worth around $2 million.

Bridge had received interest from a Chinese club in January, though Western Sydney did not agree to a mid-season departure.

Bridge departs Tony Popovic’s side in career-best form and having played a central role in their three A-League grand finals in four years, along with winning the 2012-13 Premiers Plate and the 2014 Asian Champions League.

He nearly equalled his first-season scoring record of 11 goals this campaign, when he scored 10 after becoming the club’s striker when failed Italian marquee Federico Piovaccari was dropped.

Bridge’s exit after 95 games leaves only captain Nikolai Topor-Stanley and utility Shannon Cole remaining from the inaugural squad.

“Mark leaves us as an AFC Champions League winner, as our highest-ever goal scorer and as a club legend,” Wanderers CEO John Tsatsimas said.

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“But more than that, he has helped shape the foundations and the history of the Wanderers and for that he will never be forgotten.

“Mark has been with this club from the very start and has played a huge part in on our on-field success and in our culture off the field.”

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