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The North Queensland Fury have refused to live up to their name despite missing out on another high profile signing.
The A-League newcomers released inaugural marquee signing Jade North from a three-year deal on Thursday to let the Socceroos defender take up a lucrative overseas offer, believed to be from South Korea’s cashed-up K-League.
North’s departure comes after a much-publicised backflip by Adelaide United’s Cassio in October, described by North Queensland boss Don Matheson as a “punch in the mouth”.
But Matheson on Thursday said there were no hard feelings with “good mate” North after coming to a mutual agreement to let the current Newcastle Jets captain go.
Earlier this week North denied a southern report that he was leaving for Korea on Monday for a medical, with a K-League club allegedly set to sign him on a three-year deal worth almost $2 million.
His manager Sam Ayoub confirmed that his client had been the subject of offers from a K-League club and Japanese giants Urawa Red Diamonds.
“Jade had a wonderful opportunity to pursue a career internationally, and we did not want to stand in his way,” Matheson said.
“It is perfectly legitimate for players to aspire to have experience overseas to try to further their career, as well as gain some valuable life experience, and Jade is at that point in his life.
“He has a good offer from an overseas club and we’re happy for him to pursue his dream.”
It had been believed North had a get-out clause in his Fury contract that allowed him to sign with an overseas club.
But Matheson told AAP: “The contract wasn’t as reported, what we have done is agreed to let him go, it was a mutual agreement.
“We spoke to him, he said the opportunity was there, we said it would be better that he chased it up and he gave us plenty of time to find another marquee player so we let him go pretty quickly.
“He’s a good mate of mine and it will remain that way, if he comes back he is welcome here any time.”
Matheson said the search was well underway for another marquee signing for the club’s 2009-10 A-League debut.
“We are talking to a couple of good ones right now, as one door shuts another opens,” he said.
“There are a couple of guys who have indicated that they would like to come to the club – we can start discussions with them straight away.”
North was not only the club’s first marquee signing but was also set to lead North Queensland’s indigenous development program.
However, Matheson said: “We will be continuing with our indigenous football development program … and Jade will always be a role model for other young indigenous players who want to make a professional career out of sport.
“When Jade is ready to return to Australia, we hope he thinks of us first.”
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