Ferreira to CCM, Palanca in for Adelaide

Adelaide United Football Club has confirmed that speedy midfielder Fabio Ferreira will leave the club immediately, having signed a deal with Central Coast Mariners.

The express playmaker was left out of Josep Gombau’s side that demolished Newcastle Jets on Saturday.

When asked about the omission, Gombau said: “It was a decision [to leave Ferreira out] that we will explain in the next days, as we have a possible offer from another club and we to decide what we will do.”

The club announced today that Portuguese Ferreira, who joined United in 2012 having spent time at Chelsea and Sporting in his homeland, would be released by mutual termination, allowing him to start straight away with the fellow A League club.

Almost immediately afterwards the Reds released a statement announcing the signing of Spanish attacking-midfielder Miguel Palanca, who will remain with the club for the rest of the season.

27-year-old Palanca continues the theme of Spanish football at Adelaide, having spent his entire career in his homeland. Whilst most of his playing time has been spent in Spanish second division, he made three appearances for global heavyweights Real Madrid in 2008 and 2009.

In the statement released by the club, Gombau said that bringing a Spanish player in to replace Ferreira was the most obvious choice to ensure that the team’s successful playing style is not disrupted.

“We are trying to play this particular style and to bring a player like Palanca will only help us improve as a team,” he said.

Adelaide and the Mariners’ next game is against each other on 7 February and with both players available the tie is sure to offer high-stake bragging rights.