Melbourne City have announced the departures of Premiership and Championship winning duo Tom Glover and Aiden O’Neill who are set to explore opportunities in Europe.
The club confirmed the duo will move on after highly successful tenures at City, which included being part of both their three-time Premiership and 2021 Championship winning side.
Both Glover and O’Neill have been linked with moves abroad for some time, with coach Rado Vidosic hinting in the past that they won’t be at City beyond the end of this season.
The duo already spent time in Europe prior to arriving in Melbourne, with Glover coming through Tottenham Hotspur’s youth academy and Swedish side Helsingborgs on loan.
O’Neill, on the other hand, came through Burnley’s academy before making a handful of senior appearances, while also spending time at both Oldham Athletic and Fleetwood Town on loan.
INS AND OUTS: City confirm four departures, including on loan star & Young Socceroo
“We obviously wanted to keep Aiden and Tom at the club, however, both were clear in their
ambitions to move to Europe,” City Director of Football Michael Petrillo said.
“Aiden and Tom arrived here as young players trying to re-establish their careers, so to have
played an important role in their development into elite A-League Men’s players, and now
Socceroos, fills us with enormous pride.
“Given their character and ability, I have no doubt that they will continue to enhance their careers overseas and we look forward to watching their progress in the years to come”.
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Glover arrived at City in 2019 from Tottenham and made 109 appearances for the club, including being part of each of their three Premiership winning sides between 2021-2023.
The 25-year-old goalkeeper missed only three matches during this time and started in all four of their Grand Final appearances between 2020-2023 – including their victory in the 2021 decider over Sydney FC.
He leaves as the club’s fifth most capped player in history and off the back of a sensational campaign, which saw him rewarded with a call-up to the Socceroos squad for the upcoming friendly against Argentina.
“I’ve loved playing at the Club, but the time has now come for me to take the next step in my
career,” Glover said.
“I couldn’t be more thankful for the opportunities that City has given me to play senior football
and to help me in my development on the pitch as a player, and off the pitch as a person.
“It’s been special to be part of such a successful group and I’ll never forget the memories of the past few years, but lifting four pieces of silverware in front of our amazing fans will always be the highlight.
“While I’m looking forward to the next chapter of my career, it wouldn’t have been possible
without the support of the Club; so, whether it’s to the coaching staff, the support staff, my
teammates, or the fans, I just want to say thank-you.”
O’Neill, on the other hand, made 64 appearances and scored four goals after arriving in 2020 from Burnley, following loan spells at both Central Coast Mariners and Brisbane Roar in seasons prior.
The midfielder was part of the side that took home the 2021 Championship against Sydney FC, but was riddled by injury in his first two seasons at the club and missed the 2022 decider in the process.
O’Neill bounced back this season and put together a breakout campaign this year, earning a place in the PFA Team of the Season and a Socceroos debut in March against Ecuador.
He will have the chance to add to his two national team caps against the world champions next week in Beijing.
“Melbourne City has been my home for the past three years and has brought me so many great memories,” he said.
“It has been an honour to be part of such a great group of players and people. I can’t thank the coaching staff and the wider team enough for all they’ve done to help me become the player I am today.
“The memories of lifting four trophies at AAMI Park will stay with me forever and I can’t thank the City fans enough for all of their support over the past few seasons.
“I’m excited for what’s next but Melbourne City will always hold a special place in my heart, and
I look forward to cheering the boys on from afar in the future.”
The duo are the latest players to depart the reigning premiers, after emerging full-back Jordan Bos sealed a record breaking move to Belgian outfit KVV Westerlo and quartet Valon Berisha (end of loan), Raphael Borges Rodrigues, Matt Sutton and Kerrin Stokes were released from their contracts.
Fellow young gun Marco Tilio has also been linked with a move abroad but remains contracted for next season.
