Perth Glory defender Chris Coyne has clinched a loan deal with Chinese Super League outfit Liaoning Hongyun in an attempt to get regular first-team action in the lead up to the FIFA World Cup in June.
Perth was knocked out of the Hyundai A-League finals series after losing to Wellington in a penalty shootout two weeks ago and Coyne described the move to China as a great opportunity for his prospects of representing the Socceroos at the world’s biggest sporting event.
“It’s been well advertised that (Socceroos coach) Pim Verbeek wants us to go away and play football and I’ve had that in the back of my head,” Coyne said.
“I spoke to Pim and going over there and playing games is important and the World Cup would be the icing on the cake.”
Coyne thanked the Glory for their understanding of the situation.
“It’s been a drawn out process because there are so many different parties involved but it’s worked out well,” he said.
“I wouldn’t drag myself away from my wife and kids if it wasn’t for a good reason and obviously the opportunity of getting a World Cup berth is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity so it had to be done.”
Coyne moved to Perth from Colchester United at the start of the season and only missed three of the Glory’s 28 matches in what was their best-ever season in the Hyundai A-League.
