It was the bold punt that has transpired into the most lucrative outbound deal in A-Leagues history.
Adelaide United’s high-risk decision to take the unprecedented step of paying $150,000 for Gawler-bred McGree has paid off, recouping their investment by generating early-investor Cryptocurrency-esque returns.
It is understood that Middlesbrough’s $5.5 million purchase has netted Adelaide United $550,000. That is on top of United’s initial $900,000 sale to Major League Soccer (MLS) expansion club Charlotte FC.
United’s $1.45 million sum equates to equally the biggest outbound deal in A-Leagues history, just ahead of Aaron Mooy’s 2016 move from Melbourne City to Manchester City, and Rostyn Griffiths’ 2012 transfer from Central Coast to Guangzhou for $1.2m.
Melbourne Victory is believed to have yielded a similar figure from Mitch Langerak’s original Borussia Dortmund move and eventual sell-on to VfB Stuttgart in 2015, with further funds received based on appearances and trophies at the German giants.
McGree’s move, which initially came at the height of COVID, is a stunning reward for United’s trailblazing decision to pay a six-figure transfer fee for an Australian player and also invest a substantial six-figure salary which was believed to have made him the highest paid Under 21 player in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
Adelaide United chief executive Nathan Kosmina, who refused to confirm the transfer fees, told KEEPUP that they were rewarded for building the front third around the young, local attacking midfielder, who has won seven Socceroos caps.
“We identified Riley straight away as one we’re going to invest in, in June 2019. It coincided with the appointment of Bruce (Djite) as director of football – our intent was to build our front third around Riley, who was 20, in that ‘number 10’ role,” Kosmina said.
“We were well aware how good Riley was given he’d left in 2017 with the initial move to (Belgians) Club Brugge – he remained on our radar in subsequent years, when he was at Newcastle Jets and (Melbourne City).
“He played (in a) wide (role) at other clubs. We signed (Kristian) Opseth, Ben Halloran, relatively senior players around him, and Gertijan Verbeek – who has a history of facilitating young players – was happy to build the team around (Riley).
“The intention was two-fold. We’d lacked a genuine ‘10’ since (Marcelo) Carrusca left (in 2017); (although) Riley’s a different 10 to ‘Celo’, so it was results focused and we generated results that year and won the (FFA) Cup final that year.
“At the same time making that investment around a 20-year-old was a risk, but we backed him in and it’s a testament to Riley that he took on that burden and wasn’t fazed. He flourished under some pressure, the expectation were high and he delivered.
“He scored 10 goals (in his first season back), and had a breakout season which coincided with COVID. The A-League was on hold, we had a hub in Sydney, but that shone a spotlight on him as best 21-year-old in Australian football and suitors came knocking.
“The unique piece was the transfer fee. It was reported at the time, there were relatively few transfers, it was definitely unique for (an A-League) club. The fruits of that labour were financial rewards for the player and club. That was an outcome of good performance.”
McGree’s initial sale alone smashed United’s previous outbound transfer records, with Djite (2008 move to Turks Genclerbirligi) and fellow ex-Socceroo Dario Vidosic (2013 sale to Swiss side Sion) both netting United in excess of $650,000.
Considering the unique nature of the deal and the six-figure transfer fee United had to pay to buy him from Brugge – who bought him for a similar fee two years hence – club chiefs from both Adelaide and Brugge needed convincing, while there was understood to be at least one other A-League club prepared to buy McGree.
Djite, who also refused to reveal the transfer figures, admitted there was scepticism from abroad, which is why the loan to Birmingham City was vital, with United seeking clarity on the loan club destination before sanctioning the sale.
“It’s been a phenomenal bit of business. The club (Adelaide United) had never bought anyone before, it shows when you invest you can make returns. Look at the return its created,” said, Djite, who departed United at the end of last season.
“And even from human element. When I signed Riley on a three-year-deal, I said if you’re still here in three years we’ve all failed. As an ex player, I want players to go overseas – I experienced it myself.”
The 2016 A-League title winner, who is part of Network Ten’s commentary team, admitted there was risk attached to the project.
“It’s niche. The player needs to be young, good, perhaps have European experience. Riley was young, 20 or 21. If they cost $500,000, it’s a different story. The ability to sell players out of the A-League for $1m is very difficult, then you have to consider the salary.
“Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.”
Reports suggest that United is on the verge of completing a similar deal, selling another local product, captain Stefan Mauk, for a second time, to Japan, with winger Ben Halloran just completing a move as well.
United’s faith in youth, and particularly local youth, is reaping rewards, and the parochial United fans are loving it.
Now they’ll be following the progress of McGree – who scored 15 goals in 50 games in all competitions for United – and urging his Championship club Middlesbrough on to Premier League promotion.
