Carney Set For Bunyodkor Exit
EXCLUSIVE: Socceroo David Carney has ruled out a return to the A-League but is almost certainly headed for the exit at Bunyodkor after starting talks to end his contract.
Carney, 28, is speaking with club officials today and could know within 24 hours whether he will be granted permission to leave on a free.
But the former Sydney FC player insists he won’t be returning to Australia any time soon, preferring to continue to pursue his career overseas.
Carney’s agent, Ante Ailovic, said the relationship between his client and the Uzbekistan club had irreparably broken down since inking a deal in February.
“The relationship there isn’t what it was when he first started with them,” Ailovic said.
“I’d rather he not stay there – I’d rather he move on. I think there must be some financial concerns (at the club), that’s what I’ve been hearing from my people over there.
“But it’s our decision. Bunyodkor will not be determining whether to terminate the contract it will be in our own hands - it’s not up to them it’s up to us."
Carney, whose contract winds up at the end of November, has seen little game time this season. He was also excluded from the squad to face Adelaide United in the first leg of the AFC Champions League quarter-final at Hindmarsh on Wednesday.
Ailovic said the club had focused on using him in the AFC but had a change of heart when Carney indicated he wanted leave.
“We spoke about moving on and they were trying to be strong….We’ll see what happens,” he said. “I’m pretty confident, the way and shape the club’s in, that they’ll let him go free.
“The football’s good (over there), it’s professional enough but I’d rather he move where it’s more civilised, if you know what I mean, in terms of culture.”
Ailovic admitted his client’s immediate club future was in limbo until an agreement could be reached with the Uzbekistan outfit.
“To be honest I haven’t moved forward at the moment because he’s still contracted with the club,” he said.
“Until I get strong information that we will be moving forward on the basis that he can leave on a free. But at the moment there’s no use offering him anywhere else.
“The way things are now if I do find a club I feel that (Bundyodkor) is just going to put a heavy transfer fee on his head.”
One thing is certain, the A-League doesn’t rate in his immediate plans.
“The A-League? I don’t think so in the next couple of years yet,” Ailovic said.
“Overseas is what we’re focused on. The next couple of years guaranteed – after that it’s a choice he’ll have to make.”
Carney has endured a nomadic footballing career since leaving the Sky Blues. Earlier in the year he left Spanish Segunda Division club Alcorcon where he struggled for first-team opportunities.
His long list of previous clubs includes Blackpool, FC Twente, Sheffield United and Everton. His contract with Bunyodkor made him the first Australian to play in Uzbekistan.
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/25103...dkor-exit.aspx