Wanderers star set to walk out of Western Sydney

Michael Huguenin

Wanderers star set to walk out of Western Sydney image

Western Sydney Wanderers captain Nikolai Topor-Stanley is on the verge of leaving the club after being granted a temporary release to sign a contract in United Arab Emirates.

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The Wanderers released a statement on Thursday confirming Topor-Stanley will miss Western Sydney's A-League match against Adelaide United on Friday night "to pursue an overseas opportunity".

The 31-year-old's future at Western Sydney has been in doubt throughout the A-League pre-season with just one year left on his contract.

It is understood the Wanderers shopped the central defender around the A-League, with Adelaide reportedly having been interested, while a big offer to join Chinese Super League club Beijing Guoan fell through.

The World Game has reported Topor-Stanley will join recently promoted Hatta Club in the Arabian Gulf League.

Topor-Stanley is one of just two foundation players - alongside Shannon Cole - still on the books at Western Sydney but after 123 appearances in all competitions, it appears his time is up.

The centre-back has played in all three of the Wanderers' A-League grand final appearances - including last season's 3-1 loss to Adelaide United - and captained Tony Popovic's side to AFC Champions League glory in 2014.

That loss to Adelaide could prove to be Topor-Stanley's last A-League appearance for the Wanderers, as he missed last week's Sydney derby through suspension.

 

 

Michael Huguenin