Perth Glory’s hopes of title success have been dealt an unexpected blow, with star signing Chris Herd performing a major backflip by opting out of his contract with the A-League club.
Herd was due to arrive in Perth next week after signing a two-year deal with Glory in May.
But the Socceroos midfielder asked for the contract to be terminated because he was unable to relocate to Australia with his family.
Glory granted the request.
“After considerable deliberation and in the best interests of the Herd family, the club will not stand in their way,” Glory chief executive Peter Filopoulos said in a statement.
The loss of Herd has been somewhat offset by the recent signing of Rostyn Griffiths on a two-year deal.
Griffiths last played for Glory during the 2014/15 A-League campaign, before joining Dutch club Roda FC in the Eredevisie, where he made 20 appearances in all competitions and scored two goals.
Despite the loss of Herd, Glory will still start the season as one of the title favourites.
Griffiths joins the likes of Josh Risdon, Shane Lowry, Andy Keogh, Diego Castro, Adam Taggart, and Rhys Williams in a star-studded squad that features 14 WA-born or raised players.
clayts
Guest
Is Chris Herd a striker? Thought he was a defensive midfielder
The Phantom Commissioner
Roar Rookie
That would be ideal, we don't want to overload Castro.
bobbym
Guest
Good, bring da Silva back on loan for a season
tommaso
Guest
Sounds like a poor excuse - how many times did he pull out of the Socceroos squad at the last minute ????
The Phantom Commissioner
Roar Rookie
I don't think many Glory fans will lose sleep over this, we aren't really lacking in CB or DM options. Seems though nothing is ever straight forward with this guy, shame.
Arnold Krewanty
Guest
Lol, his pommy missus won the day. A few more years of living in the bleak northern hemisphere, while us battlers suffer in this beautiful country.
theBird
Guest
Sounds a little dodgy to me. Either Glory's creative accounting team has failed, or Herd's missus had a hissy fit.
Franko
Guest
What does 'unable' mean?
Fadida
Guest
"star striker"????? Honestly, you would have thought Herd would have considered all of these factors before signing. I'm sure his wife could have photographed weddings in Perth too....