[FM14] Doing It Down Under! v2.0

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Sydney FC have today announced the contract expiry of 4 players, who will leave the club immediately. The players in question are Ranko Despotovic, Mitchell Mallia, Christopher Maynard and Matthew Thompson.

Despotovic and Thompson were reputably released due to their age, as they are both 33 and were not crucial players during the 2015/16 season. Thompson found himself filling in for injuries most weeks, and managed to play 19 games; however the central midfielder had no impact and was generally disappointing. Meanwhile Serbian striker Ranko Despotovic wasn't given much opportunity due to a surplus of strikers. However when given a chance, he fired kicking 4 goals in as many games. This form was expected to give him a contract renewal, but the emerging Josh MacDonald and Troy Wells have replaced him.

Maynard and Mallia were failed youth products, who after graduating from the academy have failed to reach their potential. 23 year old Chris Maynard was often not even the second keeper, usurped by Tristan Prendergast, whilst Mallia was frozen out as well. Both players failed to play a single game, and will hope an A-League club picks them up or else play in the state Premier Leagues.

The 4 departures, along with the retirement of Alessandro Del Piero, has left a massive hole in the salary cap which means Lodovico has plenty of room to move. There are already rumours circling about who will come in to fill the vacant Marquee spot, with Kolo Toure and John O'Shea rumoured to be close to signing.

Lodovico has 4 months to perfect his squad, and hopefully his signings can make the impact and push them to finals glory.

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The official website of A-League club Sydney FC today announced the signing of Spanish playmaker Ander Bergara as their new Marquee. The ex-Athletic Bilbao player recently spent time at Valladolid on loan but was released by the Basque club and subsequently picked up by the Sky Blues.

Bergara is a famous name across European football, after his sudden rise to fame in 2013. Living in the slums of Bilbao, an Athletic scout stumbled upon him and the 26 year old finally had his chance at competitive football after 10 years of extreme poverty. he made his La Liga debut the next season as well as playing 12 games in the reserves. In the latter part of the year, he was loaned out to Liga Adelante club Valladolid where he played 13 games, kicked 6 goals and showed his talents.

However Athletic Bilbao released him at the conclusion of the season, and for a full year the Spaniard trialled at multiple Spanish clubs who rejected him. Now he has his second chance at Sydney FC after the departure of ADP.

Bergara is an attacking midfielder also capable of playing as a striker. He is renowned for his technical ability, including a brilliant free kick and spot kick. His first touch is amazing as well and the 29 year old can run all day.

With the retirement of Alessandro Del Piero, Bergara has been brought in to fill the hole as the trequartista. His technical skills will be used to full effect in that role, and he will also replace Del Piero as the go-to penalty kicker and corner taker.

The contract details have not been fully released, but the wage is expected to be around the £10,000 per week mark. What we do know is that the Spaniard is tied down for 3 years, which is a gamble on a 29 year old, but the feats of Emile Heskey and Alessandro Del Piero have showed that a player can still flourish in their 30s.

With their marquee signing out of the way, Lodovico can know look to bolster other areas of the squad. Right wing back is an area of uncertainty, although many believe Rhyan Grant will take the mantle from Bojic and Sydney will instead sign a new central midfielder. Whatever the case, we'll bring it to you live, so stay tuned!

Hmm, see if he can feed big man Heskey. Also, I take it Jets sacked GvE/Stubbins straight away? And Jets playing Goodwin at LB? AHAHA.

Nice story so far though, will follow.

Mvan Well actually I was manager of the Jets replacing Van Egmond! And don't worry, I played Goodwin at left wing Thanks for the support

Great update, great touch to add the regen's head!

Tallery Cheers Tal, it was the only way I could show him I guess

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Daniel De Silva (left) and Julius Davies have signed for Sydney FC after their contracts expired at Perth Glory and Brisbane Roar respectively. The pair expressed their delight at being given a second chance, and in Davies' case a 5th after slipping out of no less than 4 youth academies- Bayern Munich, Hoffenheim, Melbourne Victory and Brisbane Roar.

De Silva has been touted as Australia's next big star since the tender age of 15, but Europe is yet to come knocking and his form domestically has been far from perfect. After 4 disappointing seasons at Perth Glory, the youngster opted to run out his contract in a bid for Europe. He claims Sydney FC is his leapboard, and will listen to any offers from Europe.

Meanwhile Julius Davies has stumbled his way through multiple academies, and the former Bayern Munich product would have thought his career to be over after he was released by Brisbane Roar. Luckily for the winger, Sean-Paul Lodovico still sees some potential in the kid, and he has been given his lifeline at the Sky Blues.

At 19 (De Silva) and 21 (Davies), the pair have plenty of room for improvement however both are already renowned for their dribbling. Davies, a natural winger, will not have the opportunity to play there in Lodovico's tactic however he has been touted as a striker option or possibly even as a wing back, due to his pace. Meanwhile De Silva is a playmaker, and is sure to slot into central midfield where his passing and technique can be put to work.

The pair have both signed 5 year contracts, securing them until their peak years. Daniel De Silva however expects to be sold by that time, to Europe. Lodovico welcomed the notion, saying it would be hard to hang onto a gun like him anyway. The pair will begin training when the holidays conclude.

Some promising looking young talent there, especially for the A league but will anyone ever fill del piero's boots?

De Silva's a huge signing, will be interesting for Davies though positional wise. I reckon he'd fair alright at WB, especially in this league.

Ziechael There probably won't be another technical master like ADP, but Bergara looks to be a great player

Mvan Yeah hopefully he can develop into a fine LWB

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A-League club Sydney FC have swooped in to sign English centre back Jack Batten from Bristol City. The recently promoted Sky Bet Championship club failed to meet Sydney's terms, and Batten was able to move over to Australia immediately after the work permit was successful.

The 20 year old Batten has been signed with an eye to the future, as vice captain Sasa Ognenovski has just 1 year left in him. The Englishman will provide depth in central defence whilst preparing to step into Sasa's shoes next season.

Not very well known even in his own country, Jack Batten is a determined centre back who neglects the frills; he is simply an old fashioned hard defender. His tackling is a highlight, known to be one of the best tackling youngsters in England, whilst his positioning is top notch as well. Able to account for himself physically as well, Batten may well just find himself starring this year rather than next.

As an under 21 player on a youth contract, Sydney FC will not have to pay any compensation to Bristol City and they will be ruing their loss as Batten is sure to become a star in the slightly less competitive A-League. He has been signed on a 2 year contract but is sure to continue his career further at the club.

The signing of Batten means Lodovico has used all 5 of his foreign spots and most of the salary cap, meaning that this will probably be the last signing. Batten, alongside new signings Daniel De Silva, Julius Davies and Ander Bergara, will now have a few weeks rest before hitting the training ground in July.

Very solid signing, should slot straight in nicely.

Mvan All depends on whether Sasa can keep up at his age

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Kerem Bulut has returned to Turkey today after Sydney FC and Besiktas agreed on a £100,000 deal. The move sees Bulut return to the Spor Toto Super League after a disappointing 2 year stint at the Sky Blues.

After an initial bid of £60,000 was knocked back, Sydney FC eventually settled on £50,000 straight up, with another £50,000 to be paid in monthly instalments over the next year. The sale, however, means the club made a loss on Bulut after purchasing him for £135,000 in 2014.

In 2 years, Bulut made just 20 appearances for Sydney and failed to score a goal, leading to his discontent. After being frozen out of the squad under Sean-Paul Lodovico, the young Aussie requested to be on the transfer list. Besiktas instantly answered the striker's prayers and has picked him up for the 2016/17 season.

This sale means a lot more space in the salary cap, as well as an extra spot in the squad. This means that Lodovico has the opportunity to perhaps sign 1 or 2 homegrown players to add depth, however that scenario looks unlikely at this time.

nice update good to know you've got a bit of freedom in your salary cap now!