Former Socceroos fullback Luke Wilkshire has left Feyenoord after falling out of favour at the Dutch club.
The 33-year-old has been released halfway into his two-year deal at the Eredivisie giants.
According to a report on Dutch website Football Oranje, coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst acted on Wilkshire’s future when the 33-year-old returned from holidays overweight.
Feyenoord’s website said Wilkshire had left after the club and player agreed mutually to terminate his contract after being unable to secure regular football.
Wilkshire was a regular feature for the Socceroos for a decade, earning 80 caps and playing at two World Cups.
A 2012 report suggested he was Australia’s best paid footballer while at Russian club Dynamo Moscow.
He couldn’t cement a place under Ange Postecoglou’s Socceroos revolution, narrowly missing selection for the 2014 World Cup.
He joined Feyenoord for the 2014/15 season, making 27 appearances for the club before being cut.
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Roar Guru
Hope a-league clubs are circling which may not help him.
oly
Guest
Bit harsh on Wilkshire some of these comments. He definitely looked out of shape in the game against SA before the World Cup, but from after the 2006 WC until Ange took over he was one of our most consistent performers. Not bad for someone ridiculed by fans at the 2006 World Cup. I'd take him at WSW if he was fit and under the cap (which I'm sure there is a lot of space). Great right back or holding mid if needed.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
He was a long time servant of the Green & Gold and a solid Socceroo to boot. He's had a great career and been in some of our finest national moments to date. I wish him well both with his next move and for his life once he's decided to hang up the boots for good.
Ian
Roar Pro
Let's not forget that Luke Wilkshire has been a quiet achiever and has had a career many of the aspiring current Aus footballing crop would dream to have; not to mention being a a great servant to the Soccerroos in 2 World Cups. This is not the time kick a man when he is down as has happened more recently to Michael Clark.
At work
Roar Rookie
That's a good point, if he has that attitude around the Socceroos and Feyeenord; you can imagine him being arrogant in the A League
AZ_RBB
Guest
But he shouldn't expect to carry through the same attitude just because it's A-League. WSW need a full back badly so we are most certainly interested.
At work
Roar Rookie
He should came back to the A League, but not as a marquee. He has a nice ocean front apartment down in Shellharbour, so he should try and get a go at WSW or Syd FC
AZ_RBB
Guest
Wonder if any Aleague teams will want to deal with him. Lost his spot in the national team for fitness issues. Now it's cost him a spot at a big club. Was it Luke Wilkshire whose omission from the Socceroos by Ange was met with ridicule from the Dutch press and fans?
MatthewSkellett
Guest
He was always rather arrogant and had tickets on himself , I am not surprised at his fall from grace .