Vukovic quits Glory for Japan
Perth Glory are facing an uphill battle to avoid this season’s wooden spoon after the news goalkeeper Danny Vukovic will be leaving the club for a five-month loan deal with J-League side Vegalta Sendai.
It is understood the 28-year-old will not be available for this Sunday’s match against Wellington, opting instead to immediately link up with the Graham Arnold-coached Japanese side.
The deal is understood to contain an option for Vegalta Sendai to buy Vukovic at the end of the loan period, but the J-League’s strict limits on foreign players mean there is a chance he may return to the A-League next season.
His departure is far from ideal for Glory, who moved to outright last on the ladder following Friday’s 3-1 loss to Brisbane Roar.
They are sitting three points adrift of ninth-placed Melbourne Heart with six games remaining in the regular season.
However speaking at training this morning, coach Kenny Lowe said while the club had to start thinking about ways to prepare for next season, he had not given up hope of playing finals.
“There’s how many games left? If we win them all we’ll finish third,” he said.
“Stranger things have happened.
“I’ve never, ever gone out of my way to say the season’s over, all I’m saying is we need to prepare for next season otherwise we’ll be in the same position we are now.”
