Melbourne Victory have confirmed the departure of star veteran Robbie Kruse.
Kruse leaves 2021-22 Isuzu UTE A-League semi-finalists Victory following the conclusion of his contract, bringing an end to his second stint at AAMI Park.
The 33-year-old endured an injury-hit season, with the 75-time Australia international sidelined since March 15 due to a knee injury sustained in the AFC Champions League play-off against Vissel Kobe.
Kruse scored 18 goals in 92 matches across two spells with Victory in all competitions, while winning this year’s Australia Cup.
“Robbie has been one of the Australia’s most successful footballers on the international stage over the past decade and we’ll always be proud of his association with Melbourne Victory,” said Victory’s director of football John Didulica.
“His first stint at the club showed the potential for exciting young footballers to springboard their careers into the best clubs in Europe and into the Australian National Team whilst this season in particular he played such an important role in guiding our young players to the Australia Cup triumph.”
Kruse first joined Victory from Brisbane Roar in 2009, scoring 16 goals in 47 matches across all competitions before making the move to Fortuna Dusseldorf two years later.
The Asian Cup-winning forward was snapped up by Bundesliga giants Bayer Leverkusen in 2013 and also went on to play for Stuttgart, Liaoning Whowin and VfL Bochum before returning to Victory in 2019.
“I’d like to thank everyone involved at Melbourne Victory during my time at the club and wish the club all the success in the future,” said Kruse, who made 10 substitute appearances in the ALM this season.
