Heart in line for transfer windfall
The Age
Tuesday February 2, 2010
MELBOURNE Heart could be in for a cash windfall by selling a player to an English club without him having played for it.The A-League's newest franchise signed Central Coast Mariners' wing-back Dean Heffernan on a free transfer as he is out of contract with the Mariners at the end of this season.But Heffernan has, in the interim, gone on loan to English League One club Huddersfield Town, making his debut at the weekend.The defender, who impressed in Australia's 2-2 draw with Kuwait, has moved to the UK to ensure he is match fit and playing through until May so he maximises his chances of making the World Cup squad.Should he impress at Huddersfield, which is chasing a play-off place to win promotion to the Championship, Heffernan could win a long-term contract offer. Heart could then pick up a cash bonus for a player who never played for it."If he wanted to stay there if he got offered a deal we would have to be involved in that process," John Didulica, Heart's head of football operations said yesterday."In a perfect world we would want to have him next year, but if it was a good opportunity for the player and there was a benefit for the club we would look at it."–North Queensland coach Ian Ferguson insists he has no regrets over releasing Daniel McBreen despite the striker's red hot A-League form since departing the Fury to join Perth.McBreen has been an instant hit with the Glory, scoring four goals in four matches at the tail of the season before taking up a contract with Central Coast next season. The 32-year-old netted only three goals in 21 games with the Fury.North Queensland's decision to grant McBreen a release sparked rumours of discontent within the squad but Ferguson insisted yesterday that the split was amicable and there were no regrets.
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