Caballo heads back to Europe after ‘lucrative’ offer from Danish club

Sydney FC have sold full-back Diego Caballo to Danish club Aab Aalborg after one season in the Isuzu UTE A-League.

The Spaniard joins the Danish outfit in a deal described as “lucrative” by Sky Blues coach Steve Corica, after making 25 league appearances for the A-League Men club in his maiden campaign Down Under.

He’s the second player to join the club in a matter of days after under-20 Academy goalkeeper Max Vartuli joined the club on a two-year loan deal.

“Diego did extremely well adapting to a new culture, new language, a new football environment and a new way of life,” Corica said.

“He worked extremely hard and became a very well-liked and committed member of the squad.

“Diego was made a good offer which was lucrative for both him and the club and both parties were happy to accept.

“We wish him the very best with the move and his future career.”

Caballo is the eighth player to depart Sydney FC since the club made the semi-finals of the 2022-23 A-League Men season, joining Thomas Heward-Belle (Western United), Alex Wilkinson (retired), Adam Le Fondre (Hibernian)Zane Schreiber (Melbourne City)Paulo Retre (FC Goa)James Donachie (Western United) and Alex Parsons (Brisbane Roar) in heading for the exit.

In a Sydney FC statement, the club noted that the departures have “opened up space in the salary cap and roster to make new additions to the squad in the weeks ahead.”

Sydney have 18 players contracted for the 2023-24 A-League Men season to date.

Caballo was full of praise for the club as he bid farewell to the Sky Blues.

“I would like to thank the club, the players, the staff and the people I lived with every day at Sydney FC; I had one of the best experiences of my life,” he said.

“Thank you to everyone for welcoming my family and making us feel at home, especially the members who showed me so much affection this year.

“I can only wish the club, my teammates and the members and fans the best.

“I take with me a beautiful story that has helped me grow as a player and as a person.”

Featured image credit: @aabsportdk