Melbourne Heart are set to release senior players Simon Colosimo and Matt Thompson, as coach John Aloisi begins a significant squad rebuild.
Melbourne Heart are set to release senior players Simon Colosimo and Matt Thompson, as John Aloisi begins a significant squad rebuild.
Mate Dugandzic, Jonatan Germano, Nick Kalmar and Sam Mitchinson have all agreed to extend their time with the Heart, while the club have also signed 25-year-old Iain Ramsay from Adelaide United.
However, the club is set to release a number of senior players with Colosimo, Thompson, Fred and Clint Bolton set to be released when their agreements expire on April 30, with the veteran keeper likely to be retained in a coaching position.
Heart also released mid-season signings Marcel Meeuwis, Jamie Coyne and Cameron Edwards.
The large number of player movements coming so soon after the end of a disappointing regular season indicates how much work Aloisi has ahead of him, and the Heart coach said he was excited by the opportunity to rebuild, including the capture of Reds midfielder Ramsay.
“We have a very talented group of younger players who are growing together and Iain will compliment them well,” Aloisi said.
“He has great qualities as a footballer and as a competitor. He is hungry to succeed and will really add an important dimension and depth down the flanks, which we probably lost when Aziz [Behich] and Michael [Marrone] left.
“We have also had to make some difficult decisions around a group of players who have been wonderful contributors to Melbourne Heart.
“I was a foundation player of the Club and I know first-hand how hard Simon [Colosimo], Matt [Thompson] and Clint [Bolton] worked to bring the club to life with their performances and their work off the field.
“Fred has also been a great captain for the past two seasons and pushed himself to the limit every training session and every match.
“I know I speak on behalf of all the club-s staff and members that we will always be thankful for their contribution.”
Heart is still in negotiations to retain a number of players who are coming out of contract, including Richard Garcia and Jason Hoffman.
