Former A-League player blames $16k fraud on late pay
Ex-midfielder Riku Danzaki pleaded guilty to seven charges at Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday over a betting fraud he committed with a friend who played in an amateur soccer club.
The fraud netted the 25-year-old about $16,000 across three games between April and May and his co-accused - Bayside Argonauts striker Yuta Hirayama - received about $5200.
Danzaki admitted deliberately receiving yellow cards for reckless tackles on opposition players, including games against Sydney Football Club on April 27 and Adelaide United on May 9.
He and Hirayama discussed placing bets on games both in person and on the LINE messaging app.
Hirayama would place bets on Danzaki's individual performance, including that Danzaki would receive a yellow card, while knowing he would deliberately try and receive them.
The pair agreed to split the winnings from their bets - 70 per cent for Danzaki and 30 per cent for Hirayama.
In a match against Auckland, on May 3, Danzaki tried to get a yellow card twice, by kicking opponents in reckless tackles, but the referee did not give him one.
He was then taken out of the match but his substituted player received a yellow card so Sportsbet paid out the bet.
The pair netted about $10,000 from the match and went to the Melbourne CBD to "celebrate their betting success", prosecutor Alex Turner told the court.
Their rort came undone after they tried to place a single fraudulent bet on a game between Western United and Melbourne City on May 22.
Tabcorp rejected their bet because of concerns over a large stake on one player and reported suspicious wagering to police.
Danzaki's lawyer Lewis Winter said his client was "profoundly ashamed", embarrassed and remorseful and accepted the offending was serious.
"He accepts that he's undermined the integrity of the A-League profession and undermined the integrity of these betting markets," the defence lawyer told the court.
Originally from Japan, Danzaki joined the A-League as a Brisbane Roar player in November 2020 before moving to the Scottish first division, Mr Winter said.
But Danzaki wasn't getting game time in Scotland so he left to go to Western United in Melbourne.
"He had to pay a $40,000 contract termination fee to the club in Scotland," Mr Winter said.
"When Mr Danzaki arrived in Australia he's already under some financial stress."
He said Western United were already under "significant financial strain" when Danzaki joined them, in mid-2023.
"They were not paying their players on time and they were not paying their players any superannuation," Mr Winter said, adding that by November 2024 Danzaki also had a newborn baby to support.
"It is in this context ... that Mr Danzaki makes a very foolish decision."
Mr Winter pointed out that Western United had since gone into administration and their A-League licence was revoked over the weekend.
He said the matter had drawn significant media attention, particularly in Japan, and Danzaki's mother had refused to speak to him since he was charged.
"He accepts he has dishonoured himself and dishonoured his family," Mr Winter said.
He asked for Danzaki to be given a "significant fine" for the offending.
Magistrate Nick Goodenough confirmed he was not considering imprisoning the pair.
Hirayama also pleaded guilty to seven betting corruption charges and his lawyer Molly Deighton said he recognised he made a "very poor decision" engaging in the conduct.
Danzaki and Hirayama will be sentenced on August 22.
Former A-League club Western United's "significant financial strain" led a player to commit betting fraud by recklessly tackling the opposition to receive yellow cards, his lawyer claims.
Ex-midfielder Riku Danzaki pleaded guilty to seven charges at Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday over a betting fraud he committed with a friend who played in an amateur soccer club.
The fraud netted the 25-year-old about $16,000 across three games between April and May and his co-accused - Bayside Argonauts striker Yuta Hirayama - received about $5200.
Danzaki admitted deliberately receiving yellow cards for reckless tackles on opposition players, including games against Sydney Football Club on April 27 and Adelaide United on May 9.
He and Hirayama discussed placing bets on games both in person and on the LINE messaging app.
Hirayama would place bets on Danzaki's individual performance, including that Danzaki would receive a yellow card, while knowing he would deliberately try and receive them.
The pair agreed to split the winnings from their bets - 70 per cent for Danzaki and 30 per cent for Hirayama.
In a match against Auckland, on May 3, Danzaki tried to get a yellow card twice, by kicking opponents in reckless tackles, but the referee did not give him one.
He was then taken out of the match but his substituted player received a yellow card so Sportsbet paid out the bet.
The pair netted about $10,000 from the match and went to the Melbourne CBD to "celebrate their betting success", prosecutor Alex Turner told the court.
Their rort came undone after they tried to place a single fraudulent bet on a game between Western United and Melbourne City on May 22.
Tabcorp rejected their bet because of concerns over a large stake on one player and reported suspicious wagering to police.
Danzaki's lawyer Lewis Winter said his client was "profoundly ashamed", embarrassed and remorseful and accepted the offending was serious.
"He accepts that he's undermined the integrity of the A-League profession and undermined the integrity of these betting markets," the defence lawyer told the court.
Originally from Japan, Danzaki joined the A-League as a Brisbane Roar player in November 2020 before moving to the Scottish first division, Mr Winter said.
But Danzaki wasn't getting game time in Scotland so he left to go to Western United in Melbourne.
"He had to pay a $40,000 contract termination fee to the club in Scotland," Mr Winter said.
"When Mr Danzaki arrived in Australia he's already under some financial stress."
He said Western United were already under "significant financial strain" when Danzaki joined them, in mid-2023.
"They were not paying their players on time and they were not paying their players any superannuation," Mr Winter said, adding that by November 2024 Danzaki also had a newborn baby to support.
"It is in this context ... that Mr Danzaki makes a very foolish decision."
Mr Winter pointed out that Western United had since gone into administration and their A-League licence was revoked over the weekend.
He said the matter had drawn significant media attention, particularly in Japan, and Danzaki's mother had refused to speak to him since he was charged.
"He accepts he has dishonoured himself and dishonoured his family," Mr Winter said.
He asked for Danzaki to be given a "significant fine" for the offending.
Magistrate Nick Goodenough confirmed he was not considering imprisoning the pair.
Hirayama also pleaded guilty to seven betting corruption charges and his lawyer Molly Deighton said he recognised he made a "very poor decision" engaging in the conduct.
Danzaki and Hirayama will be sentenced on August 22.
Former A-League club Western United's "significant financial strain" led a player to commit betting fraud by recklessly tackling the opposition to receive yellow cards, his lawyer claims.
Ex-midfielder Riku Danzaki pleaded guilty to seven charges at Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday over a betting fraud he committed with a friend who played in an amateur soccer club.
The fraud netted the 25-year-old about $16,000 across three games between April and May and his co-accused - Bayside Argonauts striker Yuta Hirayama - received about $5200.
Danzaki admitted deliberately receiving yellow cards for reckless tackles on opposition players, including games against Sydney Football Club on April 27 and Adelaide United on May 9.
He and Hirayama discussed placing bets on games both in person and on the LINE messaging app.
Hirayama would place bets on Danzaki's individual performance, including that Danzaki would receive a yellow card, while knowing he would deliberately try and receive them.
The pair agreed to split the winnings from their bets - 70 per cent for Danzaki and 30 per cent for Hirayama.
In a match against Auckland, on May 3, Danzaki tried to get a yellow card twice, by kicking opponents in reckless tackles, but the referee did not give him one.
He was then taken out of the match but his substituted player received a yellow card so Sportsbet paid out the bet.
The pair netted about $10,000 from the match and went to the Melbourne CBD to "celebrate their betting success", prosecutor Alex Turner told the court.
Their rort came undone after they tried to place a single fraudulent bet on a game between Western United and Melbourne City on May 22.
Tabcorp rejected their bet because of concerns over a large stake on one player and reported suspicious wagering to police.
Danzaki's lawyer Lewis Winter said his client was "profoundly ashamed", embarrassed and remorseful and accepted the offending was serious.
"He accepts that he's undermined the integrity of the A-League profession and undermined the integrity of these betting markets," the defence lawyer told the court.
Originally from Japan, Danzaki joined the A-League as a Brisbane Roar player in November 2020 before moving to the Scottish first division, Mr Winter said.
But Danzaki wasn't getting game time in Scotland so he left to go to Western United in Melbourne.
"He had to pay a $40,000 contract termination fee to the club in Scotland," Mr Winter said.
"When Mr Danzaki arrived in Australia he's already under some financial stress."
He said Western United were already under "significant financial strain" when Danzaki joined them, in mid-2023.
"They were not paying their players on time and they were not paying their players any superannuation," Mr Winter said, adding that by November 2024 Danzaki also had a newborn baby to support.
"It is in this context ... that Mr Danzaki makes a very foolish decision."
Mr Winter pointed out that Western United had since gone into administration and their A-League licence was revoked over the weekend.
He said the matter had drawn significant media attention, particularly in Japan, and Danzaki's mother had refused to speak to him since he was charged.
"He accepts he has dishonoured himself and dishonoured his family," Mr Winter said.
He asked for Danzaki to be given a "significant fine" for the offending.
Magistrate Nick Goodenough confirmed he was not considering imprisoning the pair.
Hirayama also pleaded guilty to seven betting corruption charges and his lawyer Molly Deighton said he recognised he made a "very poor decision" engaging in the conduct.
Danzaki and Hirayama will be sentenced on August 22.
Former A-League club Western United's "significant financial strain" led a player to commit betting fraud by recklessly tackling the opposition to receive yellow cards, his lawyer claims.
Ex-midfielder Riku Danzaki pleaded guilty to seven charges at Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday over a betting fraud he committed with a friend who played in an amateur soccer club.
The fraud netted the 25-year-old about $16,000 across three games between April and May and his co-accused - Bayside Argonauts striker Yuta Hirayama - received about $5200.
Danzaki admitted deliberately receiving yellow cards for reckless tackles on opposition players, including games against Sydney Football Club on April 27 and Adelaide United on May 9.
He and Hirayama discussed placing bets on games both in person and on the LINE messaging app.
Hirayama would place bets on Danzaki's individual performance, including that Danzaki would receive a yellow card, while knowing he would deliberately try and receive them.
The pair agreed to split the winnings from their bets - 70 per cent for Danzaki and 30 per cent for Hirayama.
In a match against Auckland, on May 3, Danzaki tried to get a yellow card twice, by kicking opponents in reckless tackles, but the referee did not give him one.
He was then taken out of the match but his substituted player received a yellow card so Sportsbet paid out the bet.
The pair netted about $10,000 from the match and went to the Melbourne CBD to "celebrate their betting success", prosecutor Alex Turner told the court.
Their rort came undone after they tried to place a single fraudulent bet on a game between Western United and Melbourne City on May 22.
Tabcorp rejected their bet because of concerns over a large stake on one player and reported suspicious wagering to police.
Danzaki's lawyer Lewis Winter said his client was "profoundly ashamed", embarrassed and remorseful and accepted the offending was serious.
"He accepts that he's undermined the integrity of the A-League profession and undermined the integrity of these betting markets," the defence lawyer told the court.
Originally from Japan, Danzaki joined the A-League as a Brisbane Roar player in November 2020 before moving to the Scottish first division, Mr Winter said.
But Danzaki wasn't getting game time in Scotland so he left to go to Western United in Melbourne.
"He had to pay a $40,000 contract termination fee to the club in Scotland," Mr Winter said.
"When Mr Danzaki arrived in Australia he's already under some financial stress."
He said Western United were already under "significant financial strain" when Danzaki joined them, in mid-2023.
"They were not paying their players on time and they were not paying their players any superannuation," Mr Winter said, adding that by November 2024 Danzaki also had a newborn baby to support.
"It is in this context ... that Mr Danzaki makes a very foolish decision."
Mr Winter pointed out that Western United had since gone into administration and their A-League licence was revoked over the weekend.
He said the matter had drawn significant media attention, particularly in Japan, and Danzaki's mother had refused to speak to him since he was charged.
"He accepts he has dishonoured himself and dishonoured his family," Mr Winter said.
He asked for Danzaki to be given a "significant fine" for the offending.
Magistrate Nick Goodenough confirmed he was not considering imprisoning the pair.
Hirayama also pleaded guilty to seven betting corruption charges and his lawyer Molly Deighton said he recognised he made a "very poor decision" engaging in the conduct.
Danzaki and Hirayama will be sentenced on August 22.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Australian
3 hours ago
- The Australian
NRLW stars Davis, Kelly, Brigginshaw set for historic 50th games
They're the three most experienced NRLW players in the game and we've picked their brains on everything from pre-game routines, the best young rookies, to how Gorden Tallis once created a huge moment for women's rugby league. This weekend Sydney Roosters stars Keeley Davis, 25, Isabelle Kelly, 28, and Brisbane skipper Ali Brigginshaw, 35, will become the first players to play 50 NRLW games. Ahead of their milestone matches we get their wide-ranging thoughts on the past, present and future of the game. WILDEST MEMORY OF YOUR EARLY CAREER Keeley Davis: I think it was 2018 playing for my club team (Corrimal Cougars against Windang) and someone forgot the jerseys so we wore polos for the game and taped the numbers on the back. I got collared like three times. It was my first game back after getting injured so I was already nervous. It was probably a month before the NRLW started. Keeley Davis made her debut for the Dragons when she was just 18-years-old. Picture: Monique Harmer Isabelle Kelly: Keeley that is wild. For me, I hadn't played with a lot of the girls at the Roosters, we'd all come from different areas. We had a big number of Indigenous girls in our team and they were really proud to be in the NRLW, so for me just getting to know all of them personally and being in a different environment, learning from them and making new friends really stood out for me, because I'd come from a different sport in netball and touch football. It was all so new. Isabelle Kelly scores a try for Berkeley Vale against Barela in Sydney Women's League competition Ali Brigginshaw: My first Jillaroos game in 2009 in New Zealand and we had street lights lighting up the field. You couldn't see on one side of the field. Before the 2013 World Cup we also didn't have the Coat of Arms on our jerseys because we weren't recognised as an Australian team. Gorden Tallis came in to present our jerseys and he said: 'what the f*ck is this sh*t', took our jerseys and said he'd come back when they had the Coat of Arms on them. And he did. Ali Brigginshaw has represented Australian eight times. ONE MOMENT YOU REALISED THINGS WERE CHANGING? IK: When we started State of Origin, instead of the Interstate Challenge. That was huge for the women's game. I still remember being a part of that, pulling up to North Sydney Oval and no one ever came to watch us, which was quite sad, but we pulled up on the bus and there were so many people screaming to see us. That was a big shift. KD: I noticed a lot of momentum with other people watching the game after the Covid year. When we had season 2021 at the start of 2022 and we played at the back end of that year, we got a lot of good quality footy in, everyone's skills just skyrocketed. Playing against good players the whole season, a lot of people commented at the end of the year how much it had improved. I think a lot of people watched and we had new viewers who were really excited about the level it was at. AB: It was 2011 when Graham Murray came on board, we started to stay at hotels, we had a proper training schedule and treated us like proper footballers. Before that we stayed in motels. We stayed at places where we could prepare properly, and that's where it took off. There were no excuses from then. Winning 2013 World Cup was the moment we were really proud, it was around then we were on the back page of the paper for the first time when we were usually a small clipping, that was a big moment. SOMETHING PEOPLE MISUNDERSTAND ABOUT THE WOMEN'S GAME? KD: People think girls want to be exactly what the boys are, or we think we should be paid the exact same and all of that and want to be compared, but we're a completely different thing. Most girls I know don't want to be compared to their male counterparts, it's a completely different product. It grinds my gears. IK: Yeah, same as Keeley. We're still in the early days of building our competition, but that's what's exciting as well. We're not as structured as the men's game but that's what a lot of people say they love about our game, it's like old school footy. My dad and his friends say that. I love that we play our certain way of footy. We're unique, we're never comparing ourselves to the men. AB: I guess people always make assumptions about the way we train, but if they saw the numbers of what the girls are doing they would be mind blown. They don't know how fit and strong the girls are, and there are days we don't go home to our house all day because we work and then train. BEST GAME OF THE PAST 49 KD: Last year's grand final, my first premiership. It was a very special game. IK: Same for me, but also our semi-final when we beat the Broncos at Leichhardt Oval in 2021. We hadn't beaten the Broncos in a long time, they were the pinnacle at the time and they still are. But we were down, we had Liv Higgins in the sinbin, but I've never been a part of a team where every single person has completely stepped up and gone to another level. That was what turned the Roosters into a very professional team in how we recruited and how we played and who we are now. AB: You can't go past grand finals, and we were pretty fortunate in all of them to be in a comfortable lead so you can enjoy the moment. I'm pretty sure we lost to the Titans by a field goal in my 25th game and then the next time we played them we beat them by a fair bit. I remember what it felt like to lose by a field goal, but then to turn around and beat them, that was really good. Sydney Roosters NRLW players Keeley Davis (left) and Isabelle Kelly (right). Picture: Sam Ruttyn HOW HAS YOUR PREGAME ROUTINE CHANGES SINCE YOUR DEBUT IN 2018? KD: I'm a lot less psycho, I used to have every minute planned and if it didn't go that way I'd be freaking out, but now it's not down to the minute, it's probably a 10 minute window. I've got a lot more flexibility now. I was a freak back in 2018, I had to have everything in line, in order. So if game time was at a certain time, 45 minutes before was a banana and one lolly. Shoes on, socks on. Very regimented. Now if I get everything done before the game I'm ok. IK: My nerves used to be so bad, I would struggle to eat. I've come so far, probably in the last three years I've started to nail my prep. I'm still a nervous person, but I'm a lot better, a lot calmer. I'm DJ this year, I've got a playlist. I add songs every week. I like being in control of the music and getting everyone pumped up. AB: I used to be very serious, had to be strapped first, eat a certain thing, I didn't want to laugh or joke pre game, but now I'm soaking it in and having a laugh. Listening to music, I never used to do that. It's much better going into a game more relaxed, I feel like I have more energy. Bree Chester of the Cowboys. Picture: Getty Images THE MOST UNDERRATED PLAYER IN THE GAME? KD: She's rated, but she's not rated highly enough. Apii Nicholls. She's so good and she's been doing it for years and years. IK: I really like Bree Chester at the Cowboys. I don't know her personally, but she works really hard. She's been really good and flying under the radar at the moment. Solid every game. AB: Keeley. Knowing that she's very young and she's played 50 games of NRLW, I've played with her locally for the Clydesdales and for Australia, and the way she plays at hooker, there's not too many people like her. She's very good at bringing people onto the ball and playing fast. That's an underrated skill of someone in that position. Lots of people get recognition in her teams but she deserves it. IF YOU COULD MAKE ONE RULE CHANGE WHAT WOULD IT BE? KD: If there's a two point field goal outside the 40 for the men, I'm thinking outside the 30 for the girls. IK: You know what would be crazy, is if you scored you had to kick the goal. That would be horrendous, imagine me trying to kick a goal. That's a fun one, but I hope it never comes in. AB: I'd love a quick tap on all the penalties. WOULD AN NRLW DRAFT WORK AND WHY/WHY NOT? KD: Potentially when we go full-time for rookies so they can get fully relocated, because it's a bit hectic to do that at the moment with a relocation being five months. But they would have to change the whole structure of it because otherwise clubs wouldn't invest at all in their juniors and we can't be having that. But you know what would be better? Salary cap dispensation for junior players to stay at the clubs. IK: I'm not sure how it would even work. I'm very loyal to who you play for and where you come from and who invests in you, so I can understand clubs not wanting to let their best young talent go. AB: They did try and do it. I don't think it will happen. I love speaking to other players about what goes on at different clubs, and you want people to go to a club because they hear good things or the girls all get along. I don't think girls get paid enough to make it happen, that's probably the answer. WHAT'S THE IDEAL SCHEDULE FOR THE NRLW? KD: I'd love to play everyone twice, and then have Origin in the middle period with bye rounds in there and then rep footy at the end of the year. IK: I would love to play everyone twice, before we go fulltime. AB: The season should be at the start of the year, we should have a break for Origin and then come back and play and finish with a Test. Maybe mid-year Test like we used to, depending on Origin. Even if we played each other one and a half times and build on that. 2024 Dally M Awards Rookie of the Year winner Kasey Reh. Picture: Jonathan Ng WHO IS THE BEST YOUNG TALENT YOU'VE SEEN? KD: Kasey Reh, she's a very talked about rookie but for good reason. She's so good. IK: I'm liking a few of the Warriors girls at the moment. The centre, I came up against her, Tysha Ikenasio, she's still new to the game and learning the but she's very good. She played really well last week against the Dogs. AB: Shalom Sauaso is the first girl to come out of our academy and play NRLW, she's about to start at lock on the weekend. It's been a pretty big rise, she's scored a couple of tries and played many codes. I know a lot of clubs will be lining up, if not, lots of sports. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO WITH YOUR POST-PLAYING CAREER? KD: I just want to stay involved in footy, hopefully coaching, but maybe recruitment. IK: I am very passionate about mental health and wellbeing and I do a bit of that now with the younger ones. I also love one-on-one coaching, mentoring. AB: I'm in the mix of trying lots of things now, radio, coaching and commentary. I want to dabble in a few things to see what I like before I finish. I want to see what I enjoy. I need to figure out what I want to do. Pamela Whaley Staff writer Pamela Whaley is a Sydney-based sports journalist with more than a decade of experience in the industry. Starting out as a cadet at The Daily Advertiser in Wagga Wagga, Pamela moved to Sydney in 2014 and began writing features and news for the NRL's magazine, Big League. She has since worked at Fox Sports as a managing editor of digital NRL content and with Australian Associated Press as a sports journalist, covering A-League, cricket and NRL. She grew up playing soccer, touch football and netball but her true passion lies in storytelling, particularly involving rugby league. @pamelawhaley Pamela Whaley
The Australian
15 hours ago
- The Australian
A-League clubs set for cash boost if Western United folds
A-League clubs are set to benefit financially should Western United fold via a likely increase in distribution fees that also could rise after the Australian Professional Leagues recorded an operating profit for the 2025 financial year. Clubs were informed on Friday that the APL had enjoyed a preliminary operating profit for the recently completed financial year of $1.7 million. While it's not a huge profit, it's a significant improvement from the previous two years' losses of $55 million (2023) and $37 million (2024). The 2025 profit also incorporates a 34 per cent reduction in operating expenses from the previous year. In an email to club bosses seen by NewsWire, APL executive chairman Stephen Conroy said: 'Not withstanding the difficult decisions we've had to make, and the challenging circumstances we have all been working through, this (profit) represents a $57 million turnaround in the last two years. 'We started the strategic review in early 2024 to right-size the A-Leagues and grow our core football product and revenues. 'It has been an extremely challenging period, but this significantly improved financial position provides us a strong platform for sustained growth.' Western United fans might not have a team to support for much longer. Picture:Sources close to the APL say the next step is to grow revenue lines for A-League clubs through a variety of avenues, including increased sponsorship and an improved broadcast deal. The APL deal with current broadcasters Network 10 and Paramount Plus is about to enter its final season. The likelihood is that the APL will sign a new contract with its current broadcasters, who also have a deal with Football Australia to show Socceroos and Matildas games. Clubs have welcomed the 2025 profit, and are hopeful it could lead to a slight increase in distribution fees which were slashed by almost 75 per cent to $530,000 per club last year. The fees that each club receive are also likely to increase by a small amount if Western United's appeal against being stripped its A-League licence fails, as the APL would then have about $1 million more to split among the competition's remaining 12 men's clubs. Last week Football Australia took back United's licence due to the financially embattled club not meeting the criteria required to compete in the A-League men's and women's competitions. The club's proposed new majority investor KAM Melbourne is yet to submit its full ownership proposal to the APL despite the investment – understood to be worth $100 million when including the purchase of the club's parent company Western Melbourne Group – having been announced by United in May. The future of Western United players, including Dylan Leonard, is uncertain after the club was stripped of its A-League licence. Picture:United has also been banned by FIFA from registering new signings due to an ongoing financial dispute with the club's former striker Aleksandar Prijovic. Club chairman Jason Sourasis was also reportedly hit with a personal tax bill of almost $3 million in June, with the unpaid taxes owed by some companies that sustain United. The uncertainty over United's future has delayed the unveiling of the 2025-26 A-League season, which starts in October. However, if United folds, the 12 remaining men's clubs will still each play 26 regular season games (13 home and 13 away). Teams will play each other at least twice, and a third time against four teams to make up the 26 matches. Marco Monteverde Sports reporter Marco Monteverde is a Brisbane-based sports reporter for NCA Newswire. He worked in a similar role for The Courier-Mail from 2007 to 2020. During a journalism career of more than 25 years, he has also worked for The Queensland Times, The Sunshine Coast Daily, The Fraser Coast Chronicle and The North West Star. He has covered three FIFA World Cups and the 2000 Sydney Olympics, as well as a host of other major sporting events in Australia and around the world. @marcothejourno Marco Monteverde
The Advertiser
a day ago
- The Advertiser
Roar young gun, golden boot secure MLS transfers
Rising Australian defender Lucas Herrington has secured a transfer from Brisbane to Colorado while the A-League's reigning golden boot winner has also moved to MLS in the United States. The Roar were claiming a record, undisclosed fee for U20 Asian Cup winner Herrington on Thursday. The 18-year-old will remain with Brisbane until joining the Rapids in January. The deal comes a day after Adelaide United striker Archie Goodwin, 20, secured a move to Charlotte. "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the club; to have come through the academy from Under 13s makes it even more special," Brisbane native Herrington, who played 17 games in his debut season last year, said. "Over the past seven years, I have met some amazing people, from management to coaches to players and of course, the fans." Goodwin scored an equal competition-high 13 goals in 26 appearances for the Reds after joining them from the Newcastle Jets last season. "Archie is coming off a strong first season with Adelaide United at just 20 years old and we can't wait to see him carry that momentum with us," Charlotte FC general manager Zoran Krneta said. "His awareness within the box, willingness to run and attack spaces are a few of the top qualities we saw that made us want to pursue him. "We want to see Archie develop and create good competition within our club." Rising Australian defender Lucas Herrington has secured a transfer from Brisbane to Colorado while the A-League's reigning golden boot winner has also moved to MLS in the United States. The Roar were claiming a record, undisclosed fee for U20 Asian Cup winner Herrington on Thursday. The 18-year-old will remain with Brisbane until joining the Rapids in January. The deal comes a day after Adelaide United striker Archie Goodwin, 20, secured a move to Charlotte. "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the club; to have come through the academy from Under 13s makes it even more special," Brisbane native Herrington, who played 17 games in his debut season last year, said. "Over the past seven years, I have met some amazing people, from management to coaches to players and of course, the fans." Goodwin scored an equal competition-high 13 goals in 26 appearances for the Reds after joining them from the Newcastle Jets last season. "Archie is coming off a strong first season with Adelaide United at just 20 years old and we can't wait to see him carry that momentum with us," Charlotte FC general manager Zoran Krneta said. "His awareness within the box, willingness to run and attack spaces are a few of the top qualities we saw that made us want to pursue him. "We want to see Archie develop and create good competition within our club." Rising Australian defender Lucas Herrington has secured a transfer from Brisbane to Colorado while the A-League's reigning golden boot winner has also moved to MLS in the United States. The Roar were claiming a record, undisclosed fee for U20 Asian Cup winner Herrington on Thursday. The 18-year-old will remain with Brisbane until joining the Rapids in January. The deal comes a day after Adelaide United striker Archie Goodwin, 20, secured a move to Charlotte. "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the club; to have come through the academy from Under 13s makes it even more special," Brisbane native Herrington, who played 17 games in his debut season last year, said. "Over the past seven years, I have met some amazing people, from management to coaches to players and of course, the fans." Goodwin scored an equal competition-high 13 goals in 26 appearances for the Reds after joining them from the Newcastle Jets last season. "Archie is coming off a strong first season with Adelaide United at just 20 years old and we can't wait to see him carry that momentum with us," Charlotte FC general manager Zoran Krneta said. "His awareness within the box, willingness to run and attack spaces are a few of the top qualities we saw that made us want to pursue him. "We want to see Archie develop and create good competition within our club."
