Kosta Barbarouses has joined Russian First Division club Alania Vladikavkaz on a three-year deal from Hyundai A-League champion Brisbane Roar.
The New Zealand international striker, who has been on trial with Alania, completed the switch after an undisclosed fee was agreed between the teams.
Roar coach Ange Postecoglou wanted Barbarouses to remain in Queensland, but wished the 21-year-old well in his new challenge.
“We’re definitely disappointed to see Kosta leave the club, he was an important part of our team,” Postecoglou said.
“I would have liked for him to stay another season to further his development.”
“That was not to be, I’m sure Kosta will be a great asset to his new club and we wish him the best of luck.”
“Our club policy is to identify young talent, help them to develop their game within our team structure and enable to them to further their careers.”
Postecoglou is confident of finding a suitable replacement for Barbarouses, who struck 12 goals during the team’s march to the Hyundai A-League crown last season.
“I’ve obviously known about this possibility for a little while now, so we’ve already got some things in place to find a replacement,” Postecoglou said.
Barbarouses joined the Roar in May 2010 after three seasons with Wellington Phoenix from 2007 onwards.
He made his New Zealand debut during a World Cup qualifier against Fiji in 2008.
The Wellington Olympic youth product joins Alania with the team second in the Russian second tier after their relegation from the top flight last season.
They lost 2-1 to CSKA Moscow in the Russian Cup final last season, earning a berth in the Europa League qualifying rounds, where they will take on Kazakh club Aktobe or Kecskemeti TE of Hungary.
