Sydney FC have announced eight players have been released as the club begins preparations for the 2016-17 A-League season.
Ivan Necevski, Anthony Bouzanis, Zac Anderson, Riley Woodcock and Jacob Tratt, Robert Stambolziev, Alex Mullen and Christopher Naumoff have all been axed by Sydney, who finished seventh and missed the finals series after a disastrous end to the recently concluded campaign.
Necevski, Stambolziev and Naumoff were all part of the squad that marched into the 2014-15 grand final, only to be defeated by Melbourne Victory.
Coach Graham Arnold backed the changes, highlighting the need to refresh his squad.
“I believe we have strong nucleus of players with which to build towards next season and refresh our squad,” he said.
“We will be bringing in a number of new signings which will help to improve our current squad and I’m confident and determined to see Sydney FC make a renewed challenge for silverware in the 2016-17 season.
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“It is where this club belongs.”
The cuts follow on from those of Senegalese duo Jacques Faty and Mickael Tavares, both players have since joined Central Coast Mariners.
Out of contract duo Matt Simon and Alex Brosque are reportedly close to agreeing to terms to remain at Allianz Stadium.
The Sky Blues’ season came to a heartbreaking end on Wednesday night, ousted from the Asian Champions League by Shandong Luneng courtesy of the away goals rule, with the vital striker coming spectacularly in the 90th minute.
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