Newcastle have agreed on terms for the transfer of A-League midfielder Josh Brillante to Italian soccer league club Fiorentina.
He will travel to Italy this weekend to finalise his move to the Serie A outfit, subject to a medical.
Brillante leaves after two seasons with the Jets, having made 46 A-League appearances.
The 21-year-old was named Newcastle player of the year for the 2013/14 campaign, excelling as a central midfielder and right fullback, and earned a call-up to the Socceroos’ 30-man preliminary squad for the World Cup in Brazil.
Brillante said he was excited to begin a new chapter in his career.
“I’m very excited to be joining Fiorentina and I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead.
“I’ve had an amazing couple of years at the Jets and I’m very thankful that I came to a club like Newcastle who develop young players and give them an opportunity.
“Having the chance to play regular first-team football has helped my game improve a lot and it is a big reason why I’ve been able to achieve things like playing for the Australian national team.
“Newcastle will always be a part of me now and I’ll be keeping an eye on the Jets and hoping the club does well in the future,” Brillante said.
Jets CEO Robbie Middleby wished Brillante well with his move to Europe.
“As a club, we take great pride in the way Josh has grown and developed as a footballer during his time at the Newcastle Jets.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for Josh to join a club which is competing in one of the toughest leagues in world football and will also playing be in the Europa League next season,” Middleby said.
Griffo
Roar Guru
premy - you may have this link but the Speers Point development is being showcased on facebook. Don't know if the Jets will look to train there instead of Ray Watt Oval, but is a good backup in wet weather when complete. Wish there was more of this around here.
Brick Tamland of the pants party
Guest
"and the worlds gonna know your name" is sung in the background,lets hope so good luck to the kid.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Some video of Brillante's medical and final paper work confirming his status as an ACF Fiorentina player.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Just a point on the economics of this - the fee is apparently E300k, or about roughly equal to what NYJ lost last year per this http://www.afr.com/p/lifestyle/sport/tinkler_knights_set_for_strong_financial_gzEdKDsW29bAgZd0Q7c0DK Life's tough when you're a selling league.
premy
Guest
Incorrect about the cap Birighitti and Taggart had/have $400,000 transfer ceiling's in their contract Brillante never had such agreement.
Davo1985
Guest
Yep. He will be better suited focussing as playing RB. Fiorentina's weakest stocks are in defence. He won't get a sniff at mid with Borja Valero (who should really be playing in the Spanish National team), Pizarro and Aquilani. Savic at RB isn't that great. He should get a few games in the italian cup i hope as well as a few Europa league matches. They have around about 40 players so im sure there will be plenty of competition, but hopefully he will get a run. Pre season tournament tour in Sth America will be important for him.
Robbie
Guest
Correct. Read in an italian newspaper yesterday it was around about 300K Euros.
adam
Roar Rookie
no,he had a cap of 400k in his contract,they said it was roughly around 300k that they got for him
AZ_RBB
Guest
Well yeah if he under performs in the next season or two then he will be loaned out to a lower division club. But that could happen no matter where he goes. Alternatively he could perform well and get himself a regular spot.
Aljay
Guest
His most likely path is to play reserves for 1-2 years before hopefully getting loaned to Serie B. We'll next hear from him in 2016. Hopefully Antonis will look and learn from this. Please prove me wrong Josh !!!
SlickAs
Guest
@Australia Football King said "SlickAs disappeared during the WC." Yeah, opposite of the part time WC fans, hey? I did an international move to Texas the day after the Australia v Spain game. So I haven't been that busy ;)
premy
Guest
I heard it was €1million but nothing official both clubs released statement using the undisclosed term.
premy
Guest
Youth copped a thumping toady. Yes one day I would love the club to have it's own COE but the new development at Speers Point is a great start.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
nordster, I don't particularly stay up at night wondering whether this or that young Aussie player who has a dream of bettering himself ends up playing in Serie B or C when he first was signed by a Serie A outfit. I'm pretty happy that we have players that are at the very least on the radar of these teams and leagues. Of course he most likely won't get a start in the senior team and he'll have to prove himself. But what's galling is that someone can simply from the comfort of their couch, in an off hand and condescending manner, write "This really means your getting loaned out to serie B or C teams."
Rellum
Roar Guru
Wether he actually makes the first team squad or is loaned out also depends on how many non EU players have been signed by la Viola. Serie A teams signed plenty of non EU young players then loan them out to get experience until they meet the EU requirements.
bobbym
Guest
read this http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/mad-afl-fan-explains-why-he-and-his-family-will-no-longer-watch-the-game-he-once-loved/story-fndv7pj3-1226986530507?pg=2#comments
magila cutty
Guest
Good news for the lad though posters above are right to sound a note of caution. Many that have signed OS recently now find themselves rebuilding their careers in the a-league. Even our best young talent like Rogic and Juric are back though Rogic is headed back(?). The likes of Nichols were spat back pretty quick. I hope the kid does well and wish him luck but we all have to wait and see.
Australia Football King
Guest
SlickAs disappeared during the WC.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Good move to a great club. Don't see him getting much first team action in the next season or two but if he plays well for the reserve term and trains well then by the time he is 23 or 24 I can see him being a regular bought by another strong club willing to make him a first team regular. I think he would be better focusing on being a great right back, Fiorentina and Australia could do with a few more.
Griffo
Roar Guru
I agree both ways - hope Josh does well in preseason to make the first team but if he does then nothing better than regular game time for a young player...