It’s been a busy transfer window for Aussies in January, with plenty of player movement and a few more deals likely to go through before it slams shut later today (Tuesday).
* Melbourne City midfielder Erik Paartalu appears bound for K-League champions Jeonbuk Motors. The Herald Sun reports Paartalu has agreed a lucrative deal with Alex Wilkinson’s former club and will fill their Asian visa spot. The 29-year-old scored seven times in 40 appearances for City. Ironically, Jeonbuk are in the same ACL group as City’s bitter rivals Melbourne Victory.
* Ex-Melbourne Victory defender Adrian Leijer is also heading to Korea, joining Suwon FC. Leijer left his Chinese Super League club Chongqing Lifan in recent days after agreeing to terminate the final year of his contract, with the club’s new coach wanting to recruit a new player for the club’s Asian visa spot. Leijer completed a medical at the club earlier this week and will sign a deal with the club ahead of the new K-League season.
* Former Western Sydney Wanderers star Youssouf Hersi appears likely to finalise his deal with Central Coast Mariners. The Dutchman has been linked to the club for a few weeks, only for visa issues to delay the deal. But after completing a gruelling medical at the club last week, it’s understood Hersi, 33, could sign a deal with the Mariners before the window shuts. Hersi, who has been training with a club in the Netherlands for the last six months.
* Another Socceroo star appears headed to the cashed-up Chinese Super League, with Tommy Oar expected to join a side in China. Oar has been on the lookout for a new club since ending his deal with English Championship club Ipswich Town. While a move back to the Hyundai A-League was mooted, it’s understood Oar will join the likes of Trent Sainsbury, James Troisi, Tim Cahill and Matthew Spiranovic in the Middle Kingdom.
* David Carney’s switch from Newcastle Jets to Sydney FC could be completed today – if Andrew Hoole agrees to head back to the Hunter. The Jets are willing to release Carney to join the Sky Blues but have demanded youngster Hoole in exchange for the veteran attacker. Hoole has played just 11 games for Sydney FC after leaving Newcastle at the end of last season to link up with Graham Arnold at Moore Park.
