Adelaide United winger Awer Mabil is Denmark bound after the Reds and Danish Superliga club, FC Midtjylland, all but finalised arrangements for his transfer, enabling Mabil to further his career in Europe.
FC Midtjylland, who were last season’s Superligaen champions and are currently in the second qualifying round for the UEFA Champions League, has provided the gateway to Europe for the 19-year-old.
Leaving the club that had given him his professional debut, Mabil said he was grateful to the Adelaide United Football Club for giving him the opportunity to play and develop as a footballer.
“I would like to thank Adelaide United for allowing me to pursue my dream of playing in Europe for a very strong and ambitious club that sets high standards,” said Mabil.
“A big thank you to my coach Josep Gombau and the rest of the staff at Adelaide United for helping my development as a player and person.
“Special mention to all my teammates who have supported my transition.
“The Youth Team coaches Michael Valkanis and Angelo Costanzo for picking me up as a young boy and really helping me mature into the first team.
“And of course the fans for being such great fans to play for each week.
“But most importantly my family for the support it has given me and the opportunity it’s has provided me in life and that is not to forget God who gave me this blessed gift to be a footballer.”
Adelaide United CEO Michael Petrillo said Mabil has been a valuable part of the club and wishes him the very best in the next stage of his football career.
“We are really pleased for Awer, he is a great young man and has been a great example to all young footballers in Adelaide,” said Petrillo.
“It shows that if you have the passion and commitment you can forge a pathway through to the A-League with the Adelaide United Football Club and as in Awer’s case, Europe.
“I’m sure that he will be a great addition to their team and we will miss him but understand that his desire and dream was to play in Europe.
“We are all very happy for him and pleased to have assisted in helping him achieve his goals.”
Mabil leaves for Denmark on Tuesday, and pending a successful medical, he will commence training later this week.
aladdin sane
Guest
yep, $1.3
Franko
Guest
You can argue inflation, exchange rate etc. but Kalac is no longer a record: Leicester beat Leeds to Kalac From: The Independent - London Date: July 7, 1995 Author: PHIL SHAW Leicester City, relegated from the Premiership, pulled off a transfer coup yesterday by signing the Australian international goalkeeper Zeljko Kalac from under the noses of Leeds United. Reports had indicated that Leeds would pay Sydney United an Australian record fee of pounds 550,000 for Kalac. However, an increased offer by Leicester of pounds 760,000 had the 22-year-old six-footer heading for Filbert Street and insisting it had been his first choice. "I always wanted to go to Leicester because they're a progressive club," Kalac said. "They also told me I would have a first-team spot from the start."
Bondy
Guest
He could be playing against Messi, Ronaldo Suarez & Benzema very soon, Valencia are a solid club .
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Just been announced that LaLiga powerhouse Valencia has purchased Maty Ryan for a fee of around A$11 million. Great news for AUS football & a nice earner for CCM who receive a fixed percentage of all transfer fees paid for Maty Ryan.
Jack
Guest
Mustafa amini in Denmark as well when it rains it pours . Lots of young Aussie making great calls by going to smaller clubs (not Liverpool or Dortmund ) to get game time. Sainsbury another good example. Hopefully babij juric and oar can find clubs with game time and ange will have lots of options. Pretty sure jackson irvine just found a new club as well..... Only really strange one so far is bulut going to league 2 in Greece . He won't be looked at by ange
20/20
Guest
CHEESECAKE
sydutd77
Guest
Syd utd got 1.7million for Zelko Kalac in 1995. we got peanuts for Mabil in my opinion
Gareth
Guest
I think he'll do well. It's a better move than to Ajax as he should get some game time and with some hard work he definitely has the potential to become an impressive player. Am definitely going to miss watching him tear up the right wing though... and missing those open goals.
144
Roar Guru
Very very goood move, not the likeliest of clubs finally a move abroad for the young gun.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Is this an ALeague record transfer? How much was De Silva? $1.2M?
Bondy
Guest
Interesting Fuss ...
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Interesting to find out that FC Midtjylland, who were Champions of Denmark in 2014/15, had an average home crowd of 8,570. AUFC's average home crowd in 2014/15 was: 12,637
Wynter
Roar Pro
Midtjylland is a great club with some very promising youngsters, it'll definitely serve as a springboard into the upper European Leagues his biggest problem though will be cracking the First Team.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Hard to say no to money like that. I don't feel that playing in Denmark gives him a better chance of getting an EPL contract but it seems reasonable to think that he might be exposed to greater range of European clubs playing in Denmark than he might have at Adelaide. Amazing story though. From refugee camp to European football. Hopefully his story has a few more wonderful chapters left, maybe a few as a Socceroo.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Don't know anything about this Danish club, but they're current Champions of Denmark and have a 1-0 lead after the home leg of their Uefa Champions League Qualifying match against a team from Gibralter. Musti Amini is also in Denmark & scored the opener in a recent Europa League Qualifier.
Kasey
Guest
Franko, I have to agree, I think this is just a season too early for the lad. I watched training in the lead up to the FFA Cup Final last year and Mabil is very much a kid and a joker. Perhas that's how he deals with the stress leading into a big Final??, but his horseing around during shooting drills caught my eye and won't be a good look at a new club. I hope he does well, but I wouldn't be surprised if we see him back in the A-League at some stage.
Bondy
Guest
I wonder if this club he's going to is actually a better standard of play than what he's leaving, he may drop in and see Princess Mary .
Franko
Guest
AU expected to get $1m possibly more than $1.3m.
Franko
Guest
Too young, not enough experience AND his coaching will be of a lower standard than he'd get at AU. Still, the lad is following his dream and best of luck to win. Our right side 12 months ago was a mouth watering Ferreira and Mabil, now....
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
A kid with a good head on his shoulders. Best of luck to him.