Adelaide United striker Bruce Djite has left the Reds to join South Korean side Suwon FC after completing his medical, the club has confirmed.
Djite, 29, put pen-to-paper with the K League Classic outfit for an undisclosed fee after they successfully activated his buyout clause.
Djite returned to the club in 2011 and went on to to become United’s all-time top scorer, netting more than 30 times during his two stints with the South Australians.
He also scored an impressive 11 goals in 14 matches in the second-half of the 2015-16 season, guiding the Reds to an unprecedented and historic double.
Adelaide Chief Executive Officer Grant Mayer was “disappointed” to see Djite leave, but admitted the club will never discourage players from trying their luck overseas.
“It is disappointing to lose such a well-rounded individual like Bruce [Djite] and his absence will be felt both on and off the football pitch,” Mayer said.
“But we won’t stand in the way of another one of our boys being able to head overseas and realise a dream, so we’re delighted for Bruce.
“Unfortunately, this is the world of football, and the success that we experienced last season was always going to have overseas clubs chasing our players.”
Djite’s exit follows the departures of Stefan Mauk (NEC), Craig Goodwin (Sparta Rotterdam), Bruce Kamau (Melbourne City) and Pablo Sanchez (unattached) in the mounting exodus of championship players to leave Adelaide.
Mayer also said the club is doing everything to replace the recent holes in the squad, including fulfilling its quota of permitted foreigners.
“Our primary focus is clearly on established local and/or overseas players and, as always, our members, sponsors, and fans will be kept informed along the way,” Mayer continued.
“With the transfer window closing in the coming weeks, I can assure everyone that we have our eyes firmly on overseas markets.”
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