Brisbane Roar captain Tom Aldred has addressed rumours of his imminent departure from the Isuzu UTE A-League club, confessing “it’s probably the right time” to move on after five years in Queensland.
Aldred joined Brisbane in 2019 and became just the sixth club captain in Roar history ahead of his first season at the club.
The English defender’s 104th league fixture for Brisbane came on Friday night in a 4-3 defeat to Adelaide United; after the slender loss in his side’s final game of the season, Aldred was asked to address the rumours surrounding his future, and whether he had played his last game in orange.
“Obviously it’s up to the club now to confirm that, but for me now it’s probably the right time,” Aldred told Paramount+.
“It’s been five amazing years, I moved over here, I’d never stepped foot in Australia and to come here as captain and play the amount of games I’ve played in this league, it’s been an incredible experience for my family, it’s been an incredible experience for myself.
“I can’t speak highly enough of the A-League. It’s a top, top level. Some very good players, some very good teams. It probably doesn’t get the credit it deserves but for me personally now, it’s probably time to try something new.
“To have done what I’ve done here, I’m so proud. Proud of the boys, proud of the club, and yeah, it’s been an absolute honour.”
MATCH REPORT: Reds survive late Roar onslaught to edge seven-goal thriller & book ticket to Aus Cup
Following Aldred’s comments on Paramount+, Roar boss Ruben Zadkovich was asked if he could clarify the club’s position on Aldred’s future.
“I don’t want to speculate too much,” Zadkovich said.
“Obviously as a club we have to make some calculated decisions in terms of how we spend our money and where we recruit. But I’d also like to say someone like Tommy Aldred has spent five years, I think it is, at one club. A fantastic person. I’ve been working with him now for three or four months and thoroughly enjoyed my time with him as the captain.
“However it plays out for him, he’s been a great servant to the club and I feel like it’s important we respect that.”
