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Adelaide United plays down Cahill speculation

Adelaide United has poured cold water on reports it might be interested in signing Socceroos legend Tim Cahill, who today walked away from A-League club Melbourne City.

Dec 06, 2017, updated Dec 06, 2017
Tim Cahill in action against Adelaide United in January. Photo: AAP/David Mariuz

Tim Cahill in action against Adelaide United in January. Photo: AAP/David Mariuz

Cahill, who turns 38 today, has started just one game for the club this season, and used the occasion of Australia’s qualification for the World Cup to say he needed more game-time to get ready for the 2018 tournament.

“Qualifying for the World Cup has been a great adventure, and it would be a massive honour to represent my country in Russia. That will be my focus in the coming months,” Cahill said in a statement.

Cahill will spend the next month at least without a club, given the closed international transfer window.

Australia’s all-time leading scorer is yet to make clear where his next destination will be but his departure statement suggests his time in Australia is up.

Cahill was connected to Adelaide United in media speculation today, but the club appears to be cold on the possibility.

“Marco (Kurz, the Adelaide United coach) is wanting to build for the future as opposed to signing Tim,” a club spokesperson said.

However, he added that “all options are going to be assessed”.

Cahill is unlikely to return to European competition, given his age.

Leagues in the United States and China – where he has previously played – are in off-season, as are Japan and South Korea.

A more likely destination would be the UAE, where close friend and Socceroos teammate Ryan McGowan is currently based.

The Arabian Gulf League’s transfer window opens next week, with a brief season break before the resumption of matches in early January.

“Playing in the domestic league in Australia was always an important career goal for me, and my experience here has been fulfilling from start to finish,” he said.

Cahill scored the only goal in the 2016 FFA Cup final, capturing the first trophy for Melbourne City’s senior men’s team.

His contract has been effectively ripped up, meaning he will not transition to become a coach at the club next season.

Cahill’s departure comes amid major ructions at the A-League club.

New coach Warren Joyce has overlooked several players, including Cahill, in his desire to chart a new course for the club – which has struggled for on and off-field success in eight seasons in the league.

Joyce has preferred on-loan striker Ross McCormack to Cahill, but said City would be weaker without Cahill’s influence.

“Having players of Tim’s stature in the dressing room can only help develop a squad’s ambitions, and his impact on the team and for the club is well known, particularly with the younger players,” he said.

“I have appreciated the contribution he has made both on and off the field and the dedication he has shown in training.”

Cahill’s departure is unlikely to help City’s attempts to establish itself in Melbourne.

Despite being the richest club in Australia – thanks to their Abu Dhabi-based owners – City’s average attendance is under 9,000 with only Central Coast and Wellington boasting poorer numbers.

– with AAP

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