Adelaide United’s Iain Fyfe will join South Korea club Busan I’Park at the end of the month after the defender accepted an offer with the K-League club.
The Korean club had revealed its interest in the defender whose contract with the Reds expired at the end of the 2011-12 season.
The 28 year-old admitted the decision was one of the toughest of his career with United approaching the tail-end of the season and firm challengers for their maiden Hyundai A-League title.
“I’ve always had an ambition to play overseas and this is a great opportunity to do that,” he said.
“It was a really tough decision to make leaving Adelaide at this time with the club in a good position to try and win the championship, but opportunities like this don’t come around every day. It’s a step forward in my career and I’ve got no doubt my team mates here can win the title without me.”
Reds coach Rini Coolen denied Fyfe’s move would unsettle United as they near the finals, with the Dutchman saying the move was too good for his central defender to knock back.
“We always want to encourage players who want to take their career to a higher level, and this is what Fyfey is eager to do,” Coolen said.
“He expressed his strong desire to go there and you can’t stop the player if he really wants to go. We do not want to prevent players from wanting to take another step, and there are many good things to come out of it, both for Fyfey and the club.”
Adelaide United have received an undisclosed fee for Fyfe’s move to Busan I-Park, while Coolen also confirmed the Reds have secured a backup for Fyfe, although the club will not be making any further comment until Monday.
“We have another player who will join us, and we hope to announce something in a few days.”
Fyfe has made 139 Hyundai A-League appearances, 88 for Sydney FC and 51 for Adelaide United, and the centre-back has started every one of the Reds’ 25 matches this season, scoring an impressive four goals.
After winning a championship with Sydney FC, Fyfe admitted he was grateful to be able to pursue a career abroad.
“I really appreciate how the club has handled the situation and that they have given me the chance to further my career,” Fyfe said.
“Since I came over from Sydney, the club and the fans have been great to me. I have thoroughly enjoyed it, particularly being able to represent my home state in the A-League. It has meant a lot to me and I cannot thank my team-mates, the club and all of the supporters enough.”
