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The thing is the Dub is actually good quality. What's holding it back is the lack of professionalism. The players deserve better.
A-League transfer news/rumours
- Thread starter grazorblade
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Saudi Arabia are always going to be number one in Asia for global transfer fees in men's football though because they have one of the best leagues in the continent and can lure world-class players with big money contracts worth millions.
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Yeah no chance anyone in Asia pays more than Saudi. Otherwise all the old legendary players would move to the J1 League if it was about quality over money.
This brings an interesting question. Without oil money buying really expensive players (not talking about marquees like we get in the A-League but players like CR7), where would the Arab leagues be ranked?
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I should also note that the Arab strategy as I'll call it (the Arab strategy is a broader term which we all should understand by now) could end up strengthening national teams.
In the past 12 months the UAE national team (whose entire team besides two players plays in the UAE Pro League) has called up players who were born in Argentina (two), Brazil (THIRTEEN!), Croatia, England, Ghana (two), Ivory Coast, Morocco (two), Portugal and Tunisia. I understand the UAE is a nation with a high immigrant population but these are players who have zero connection to the UAE other than they played enough years there to be eligible to switch under FIFA eligibility rules because they were never good enough for their own national teams. 13 Brazilians play for the UAE national team. At this point they probably don't even speak Arabic to each other at training.
In the past 12 months the UAE national team (whose entire team besides two players plays in the UAE Pro League) has called up players who were born in Argentina (two), Brazil (THIRTEEN!), Croatia, England, Ghana (two), Ivory Coast, Morocco (two), Portugal and Tunisia. I understand the UAE is a nation with a high immigrant population but these are players who have zero connection to the UAE other than they played enough years there to be eligible to switch under FIFA eligibility rules because they were never good enough for their own national teams. 13 Brazilians play for the UAE national team. At this point they probably don't even speak Arabic to each other at training.
erogenouszone
Captain
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Whilst I admit the whole thing is extremely farcical I'm quite certain that either Harry Soutar or Martin Boyle had literally never been to Australia before they were called up by the Socceroos.
patjennings
Vice Captain
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Central Coast Mariners sign Kaito Taniguchi
The Central Coast Mariners has signed exciting Japanese forward, Kaito Taniguchi. The 30 year old joins the club from Japanese J2 side, Albirex Niigata, where he made 180 appearances for the club over the past five seasons. The forward scored...
ccmariners.com.au
Michael Pratezina is a Bull
Macarthur Bulls FC is proud to announce the signing of exciting young midfielder Michael Pratezina on a scholarship contract through to the end of the 2027/28 A-League season. Born in 2008, Pratezina joins the Bulls from Sydney United 58 FC...
macarthurfc.com.au
Central Coast Mariners sign Seth Clark
The Central Coast Mariners has signed midfielder, Seth Clark for the remainder of the 2025/26 Isuzu UTE A-League season. The 25 year old joins from Sydney Olympic where he featured for the New South Wales NPL side throughout the 2025...
ccmariners.com.au
dr. bellows
Rotation Player
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Apparently Bodo/Glimt impressed with Mark Natta and in their sights for a transfer at the end of the AL season. Would be a loss for the Jets but if they get good money for him is a part of the revenue model and vision that AL clubs should be pursuing.
dr. bellows
Rotation Player
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Some big numbers being suggested that Heracles will pay to secure Kikianis at season's end. Not sure if that's contingent on Heracles staying up.
dr. bellows
Rotation Player
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Sydney FC working to bring in Stamatelopoulos on.loan from Motherwell for the remainder of the season
Midfielder Tevere added to Glory ALM squad
Perth Glory is delighted to confirm that central midfielder Luca Tevere has signed for the club for the remainder of the current Isuzu UTE A-League campaign. After spending several years in the Melbourne City Academy, Tevere emerged as one of...
perthglory.com.au
Sydney FC Land Socceroos Striker
Sydney FC has secured the signing of Australian international striker Apostolos Stamatelopoulos from Motherwell FC on a loan deal.
sydneyfc.com
Roar boost backline with Norwegian defender Marius Lode
Brisbane Roar Men have strengthened their squad for the run home, securing the signature of Norwegian central defender, Marius Lode on loan for the remainder of the Isuzu UTE A-League 2025/26 season from Swedish side, BK Häcken. A tough, experienced centre-back with a strong European pedigree,...
brisbaneroar.com.au
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Ahmet Arslan to Sydney FC possibly a done deal following him being delisted by Rot-Weiss Essen but we don't know if they managed to get a transfer over the line before the A-League Men transfer window closed yet.