Bentleigh Greens will be without star winger Ryan De Vries for 2015 NPL Victoria finals series.
In a massive blow for John Anastasiadis’ side, De Vries departed last week before the Round 26 clash against Oakleigh Cannons, despite initially being contracted to stay until after the finals.
The New Zealander will return to Aukland City, even though player registrations for the ASB Premiership close in December, leaving his desire to leave early baffling Greens officials.
“Unfortunately, Ryan – for reasons we cannot entirely identify – has left the club and is now back in New Zealand,” CEO John Ioannou said.
“We had an agreement that he [De Vries] would stay with us until the end of our finals campaign.
“However, Ryan informed us on Thursday that he was to leave after Sunday’s match against Oakleigh, leaving us with no decision but to terminate his contract on the spot.
“We’ve looked after him for four years and he has let the club and his teammates down on the eve of the finals.”
The one-time New Zealand international scored 24 goals in 57 matches across four separate stints at Kingston Heath between ASB Premiership commitments, including three this season as the club finished in second position on the ladder.
His departure leaves a larger gap in Bentleigh’s front third following a season-ending knee injury to Matt Thurtell.
Bentleigh may not the only club with selection headaches ahead of the PS4 NPL Victoria finals series, with South Melbourne sweating on the fitness of Milos Lujic after the star striker hobbled off with a knee injury sustained late against Northcote on Sunday.