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He s fast building a reputation as the A-League s master poacher, but Western Sydney Wanderers coach Carl Robinson insists there are deeper reasons why James Troisi and Bernie Ibini chose to quit their respective clubs.
Troisi broke his contract with Adelaide United earlier this month to sign a two-year deal with the Wanderers.
A few days later Ibini paid out the rest of his Newcastle Jets contract in order to also sign with the Wanderers.
And Scottish defender Ziggy Gordon quit Central Coast to ink a deal with Robinson s outfit.
The three defections have been a major boost for Robinson, who himself quit as coach of the Jets in October to take up the head role at the Wanderers.
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The west of Sydney will never be the same again as Macarthur FC travel to face local rivals Western Sydney Wanderers in the Bulls’ history-making inaugural A-League encounter, in a match rearranged to Wednesday.
The competition’s newest team, coached by Ante Milicic and led by captain and Socceroos great Mark Milligan, take to the Bankwest Stadium pitch with the opportunity to write the first page of the Macarthur FC record books and forge their names into Bulls folklore.
It is not only an era-defining day for the cowbell-wielding fans of the team in white, gold and black, but a half-capacity at Wanderland will witness the debut of the all-new, Carl Robinson-led Western Sydney outfit.
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Long-serving Ugarkovic, 26, is looking to extricate himself from the final six months of his deal, and believes there is a “double standard” at play, after Jets CEO Lawrie McKinna declared on releasing Bernie Ibini last week the club “only wants players who want to play for the jersey”.
Like Ibini, Ugarkovic - who in October signalled his desire to exit the troubled club - offered to buyout out the remainder of his contract.
But, unlike Ibini, the Jets have told the former Olyroo that option isn’t on the table.
Ibini and ex-Jets coach Carl Robinson have both landed at Wanderers, however, Ugarkovic also has lucrative offers from two other A-League clubs, plus interest from China.
Skaie Hull is a News and Sports Reporter.
She has a strong passion for local news and believes regional communities need a voice.
Skaie grew up on the Central Coast and in Newcastle.
Prior to joining the NBN team in 2016, Skaie worked as a journalist for Seven News, Queensland and was also PR & Media Advisor for YMCA NSW and TAFE NSW.
She attended the University of the Sunshine Coast.
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The Jets released a statement today confirming the disgruntled winger’s exit, revealing he’s paid the club compensation to terminate his deal.
“We want to have players at our club who want to be here and play for the jersey, CEO Lawrie McKinna said.
Ibini had declined to attend training over the past month as he sought a release, with the PFA enlisted to mediate a tense standoff between player and club amid mental health ramifications.
It’s understood Ibini’s agent also waived any fees to help speed his departure from the Jets, whom he signed a contract extension for in August having joined the club in February.