Just as Steve Pantelids was named to replace injured marquee player William Gallas, he has signed to Malaysian Super League club Selangor FC.
He left this week to fly to Malaysia and will not be present at Perth Glory’s match against Wellington Phoenix Friday night.
Perth Glory Head Coach Alistair Edwards had nothing but praise for the 30-year-old defender and wished him well for his asian venture.
“Steve has been a great servant to Perth Glory over the past two years,” he said.
“We were in talks to extend his contract further, however we had also received significant interest from a number of clubs in Asia for him. As a Club we do not want to stand in the way of player seeking to pursue overseas aspirations, and as such we’d like to thank Steve for his commitment and professionalism at
Perth Glory. We wish him well in his future endeavours.”
Steve Pantelidis joined Perth Glory at the start of the 2011 Hyundai A-League season and has more than 140 Hyundai A-league appearances to his name, playing in five finals campaigns with three different clubs, and winning a championship with Melbourne Victory in 2006/07.
Former Melbourne Victory mentor Mehmet Durakovic is coaching Selangor FC and took on Pantelidis as his first international signing for the club.
Coach Edwards says many talent Australian players are being watched with a careful eye by the asian market.
“There is increasing money going into football in Asia and the Malaysian League is fast attracting a number of overseas players,” he said.
