All-time top goal scorer and club legend Mark Bridge has departed the Western Sydney Wanderers to join Changrai United in Thailand.
Hyundai A-League transfer wrap for season 2016/17
Born in Blacktown, Bridge joined the Wanderers as a foundation player in June of 2012.
While the forward had already made a name for himself in the Hyundai A-League by the time he arrived at the Wanderers, no-one predicted the impact Bridge was about to have on the fledgling club.
Name any Wanderers record and the chances are that Bridge currently holds it or has held it at some stage in his career.
Making his debut in the Red and Black’s first ever game, Bridge scored the club’s first ever goal, the club’s first ever home goal, the club’s first ever hat-trick and won the club’s first ever Wanderers Medal as Player of the Season.
No-one has yet to beat his first season tally of 11 goals in a season and his form has not waned as his second Wanderers Medal this season testifies after another nine goals and eight assists in 2015/16.
Bridge leaves the Wanderers as a Western Sydney icon and will remain synonymous with the club forever, scoring a record 26 goals in 112 Hyundai A-League, AFC Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup and Westfield FFA Cup matches: only Nikolai Topor-Stanley has more appearances.
Western Sydney Wanderers CEO John Tsatsimas said players like Bridge are the lifeblood of Hyundai A-League clubs.
“Mark leaves us as an AFC Champions League winner, as our highest ever goal scorer and as a club legend. But more than that, he has helped shape the foundations and the history of the Wanderers and for that he will never be forgotten,” said Tsatsimas.
“Mark has been with this club from the very start and has played a huge part in on our on-field success and a huge part in our culture off the field. He will always be a member of the Wanderers family.
“As one of our greatest players Mark will be missed at Wanderland and we wish him and his family every success in his future journey, both in football and in life.”
