“Next chapter coming very soon”: Socceroos star Cahill to remain in China
UPDATED: An upset Tim Cahill has announced his surprise axing from Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua, with his agent insisting he would remain in China rather than seek a career lifeline in Australia’s A-League.
Socceroos star Tim Cahill. Photo: Lukas Coch, AAP.
The Socceroo star had only signed a contract extension three months ago.
“I’m very sorry to announce that I have reached an agreement with Shanghai Shenhua to terminate my contract after being told that I’m not part of the new coach [Gregorio] Manzano’s plans for the 2016 season having only just signed a new contract in November,” he wrote on Instagram.
“This is very sad especially after what I feel I have helped to build in Shanghai Shenhua on and off the park.
“Just thinking about saying goodbye to my teammates and especially the amazing fans is heartbreaking.
“Regardless of whether my contract is being honoured and paid out in full, I would much rather have seen it out and finished what we started.
“I will always think about what could have been for us as a club in 2016. I will be able to share more information in the next 48 hours once the final details have been completed. Next chapter coming very soon!”
Blessed to have amazing family around me.Looking forward to what's next. Thank you for the amazing messages #LEGACY pic.twitter.com/BZfIV7YDOF
— Tim Cahill AO (@Tim_Cahill) February 16, 2016
Speculation built overnight that Cahill, who is still an integral part of the Socceroos’ set-up and is eyeing off a fourth World Cup in 2018, would link with an A-League club, despite the 36 year-old’s consistent insistence he’d be unlikely to play in Australia.
His agent Ante Alilovic today confirmed he would sign for another Chinese side.
“He will stay in China. I’m in Asia now and will be with him in two days to discuss potential deals [and] there are a few interested clubs,” Alilovic said.
Alilovic orchestrated Cahill’s big-money move to Shenhua last year, where the former Everton and New York Red Bulls star was earning a reported $10-million salary.
He had only signed a contract extension in November, but despite scoring 11 goals in 28 games, he has been ruthlessly discarded to make way for incoming signing Obafemi Martins, a Nigerian international.
It’s understood Cahill did not see his axing at Shenhua coming and only learned of Manzano’s view during pre-season training.
There are four teams in the Chinese Super League with vacancies for international players and the transfer window in that country is still open.
Cahill is unable to play for an A-League club this season as it’s believed he was released after Australia’s transfer window shut on February 2.
However, that hasn’t stopped talk of a possible play for the Socceroos’ all-time leading scorer, who has long tried to dismiss any suggestions of a move home.
Only Sydney FC, Western Sydney, Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City would have the capacity to sign Cahill, who would become an instant A-League drawcard.
-AAP
