Western United FC have confirmed defender Connor Chapman and assistant coach John Hutchinson have left the Hyundai A-League club.
Chapman is set to sign with K-League 2 side Daejeon Citizen FC for the 2020 campaign.
The versatile 25-year-old only needs to pass a medical to link up with the club and begin pre-season training.
It’s a return to Korea for Chapman, where he was playing before joining United on a two-year deal in March.
His departure is a blow for United, especially now fellow defenders Brendan Hamill and Aaron Calver suffered serious injuries in the 3-1 loss to Wellington Phoenix on Saturday.
MORE: Rudan says Western United will eye reinforcements amid injury crisis
REPORT: Phoenix storm into top six after impressive win over Western United
Meanwhile, Hutchinson – a former Malta international and Hyundai A-League stalwart at Central Coast Mariners – will move to an overseas club in a coaching capacity.
“As a club we understand talented Aussie coaches and players wanting to test themselves overseas. Football is a global game and we’ll never stand in their way,” club CEO Chris Pehlivanis said on the club’s official website.
“We thank both John and Connor for their contribution in this historic first season at our club.”
United are next in action on Friday, January 3 when they travel to AAMI Park to take on Melbourne City.
Kick-off for the match is 7.30pm AEDT. You can get tickets to the match HERE or follow it in the LIVE MATCH CENTRE.
REACTION: Slater – Wellington are the second-best team in the Hyundai A-League
READ: Hyundai A-League statistical team of the decade
