Gold Coast United midfielder Zenon Caravella will join Adelaide next season after signing a two-year deal with the Reds on Thursday.
United CEO Clive Mensink said that salary cap restrictions made it impossible to match Adelaide’s offer.
“We will be sorry to see Zenon leave at the end of the season, but due to the salary cap we could not get close enough to the contract that Adelaide put on the table for him,” he said.
“He has been a great servant to Gold Coast United and will continue to be until the end of the season. When he leaves we will wish him all the very best.”
“We fully understand and appreciate that he needs to look after his family and we are proud that our club has provided him with the platform to do just that.”
The 27-year-old has been with Gold Coast since their inception into the Hyundai A-League, amassing 45 appearances and scoring one goal.
He vowed to give his all to United for the remainder of the season as they continue their push to the finals.
“I want to assure everyone that I will continue to give 100 percent to Gold Coast United until the end of the season. We-re still in a great position and have every reason to push for success this year,” he said.
“I’ll be sad to leave and I am grateful to the club for everything they have done for me, but ultimately I have to make decisions that are good for my family.”
Reds coach Rini Coolen said he had been keeping a keen eye on Caravella, who first came to his attention when the midfielder was plying his trade in Holland.
Caravella spent a year at Dutch Erste Divisie club FC Omniworld before returning to the Hyundai A-League to join Gold Coast in their inaugural season.
“Zenon is a good player and we-re happy that he will join us from next season,” Reds boss Rini Coolen said.
“I have seen him playing in the A-League this season and also know him from when he played in Holland, so I-m looking forward to working with him.”
