Sydney FC have released Mark Bridge three days after new coach Ian Crook indicated the striker was part of his plans for the team s future.
Bridge, 26, had a year of his contract at the club still to run, but has now been granted an early release.
The two-cap Australia international, together with fellow forward Dimitri Petratos, had been linked with a move to the A-League s new Western Sydney franchise, only for Crook to dismiss the rumours on Tuesday.
As far as I m concerned, Bridge has been training with us constantly, and he is part of Sydney FC, Crook said.
Certainly on the playing side he s been training well, and certainly as far as I m concerned he and Petratos, nobody has spoken to me about them going.
Contrary to Crook s comments, Sydney have now opted to grant the player s wish to be allowed to pursue a new challenge.
I really enjoyed my time at Sydney FC but I felt I needed a change, Bridge said in a statement on Friday.
I made a lot of really good mates at Sydney FC and the club was good to me while I was here and I d like to thank them for agreeing to the release.
Bridge, a former Parramatta Eagles and Parramatta Power player, made his A-League debut with Newcastle Jets in 2005, switching to Sydney in 2008.
He netted 17 goals in 80 A-League matches for the club, including a goal during regulation play in Sydney s 2009/10 grand final penalty shootout win over Melbourne Victory.
Sydney FC would like to thank Mark for his service and contribution over the last three years, the club s director of football Gary Cole said.
He is a premiership and championship winner with Sydney FC and will always be remembered for his goal in the 2009/10 grand final. We wish him all the best in the future.
