The Newcastle Jets have suffered a massive blow with the news that 2008/09 marquee signing Edmundo Zura and the club have agreed to part ways.
The Ecuadorian international striker arrived at the Jets with the promise of genuine goal-scoring prowess but he has failed to net a single goal in his nine appearances with the club.
Zura cited personal reasons for his departure from Newcastle with one of the main reasons being his elongated separation from his wife and young child after almost three months of unresolved hassles getting the family’s visa approval through Australian immigration.
Newcastle chief executive officer John Tsatsimas said it was sad to see Edmundo leave but understood his need to be with his family and granted him an immediate release from his one-year loan deal.
“It’s sad that we must say goodbye to Edmundo,” he said. “He has obviously found a place in the hearts of our supporters and so it is unfortunate to see him go.”
“However, we can understand that he misses his homeland, his family, and the way of life that he is comfortable with.”
“It’s not easy to travel to another country and settle immediately, particularly when there is such a large language barrier there. So we would not stand in his way in returning to Ecuador, which is where he wants to be.”
“We certainly wish Edmundo all the best for the future and hope that he continues his career in a positive way so that he can enjoy his football.”
The news is another blow to the defending Hyundai A-League champions, who have struggled to find the form that took them to a Grand Final victory last season with just two wins under their belt this campaign.
Zura is due to fly back to Ecuador on Monday afternoon.
