Fan favourite and super-sub Pablo Sanchez will not be returning for a third season with Adelaide United, the club has confirmed.
The Spaniard joined the Reds from CD Lugo in 2014 and swiftly endeared himself to United supporters following his goal-scoring feats, particularly off the bench.
During his two-year spell in the city of churches, he won three trophies including the FFA Cup last season and recently an A-league double with the Premier’s Plate and the Championship.
The 33-year-old, who scored Adelaide’s third goal in their 3-1 grand final victory over the Western Sydney Wanderers, reflected on his successful time at Coopers Stadium.
“Last season we won the FFA Cup in my first year at United and it was an amazing year because I also won the Golden Boot,” Sanchez said.
“This season just passed was fantastic as well for how we came back from a slow start and then we won the Premiership and the Championship.
“The way we won this season made it more important because we stayed together and worked very hard in the difficult times and got the rewards for our sacrifice.
“Scoring in the Grand Final was the icing on the cake for me and I will always remember this moment.
“It was one of the most important moments in my life alongside my wedding and the birth of my son.
“I will never forget Adelaide and I want to come back one day, to enjoy the club and the people here, that I love.”
Sanchez netted an impressive 19 goals in 57 matches for Adelaide and incidentally during the 2015-16 campaign equalled the most number of goals scored by a substitute in a single season with seven strikes.
Sanchez’s departure follows the current exodus at the club, after youngster Bruce Kamau secured a move to Melbourne City, while Dutch outfit Sparta Rotterdam announced the signing of Craig Goodwin yesterday.
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