Sydney FC’s re-build has kicked off with the departure of 12 players from the squad that failed to make the finals for the first time since 2016.
Strikers Kosta Barbarouses, Luciano Narsingh and Trent Buhagiar will all depart alongside midfielder Mustafa Amini and defenders Harry Van der Saag, Callum Talbot, Anton Milnaric and Liam McGing.
Long term injury absentees Chris Zuvela and Calem Nieuwenhof also depart, however, the club will continue to support them with their rehab.
They join Bobo (retired) and Michael Zullo on the exit list, with the latter returning home to Brisbane to continue his rehab from injury.
The news of the departures came hours after Steve Corica was handed a deal until the end of the 2023-24 season.
“Last year was a tough season and there were some very tough decisions we’ve had to take following it, but I’m confident these decisions are in the best interests of the club,”
“I’d like to thank all of these players for their service to Sydney FC and pay credit to each player’s attitude and commitment while representing our club.
“We look to the future and to freshening up the squad, which is going to be a major difference for us next season.
“It’s unfortunate for the players who are leaving, particularly those who have been on the long-term injury list, but we need to move on and rejuvenate the squad.
“We did offer contracts to a couple of players on the list, but they’ve made decisions that their futures lie elsewhere.
“That’s football, you can’t keep everyone in a salary capped environment, and there are a lot of younger boys [from our NPL squad] doing very well who are ready to step up next season.”
