Newcastle Jets have moved quickly to start reinforcing a dwindling roster by signing young winger Ramy Najjarine on loan from Melbourne City.
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The 20-year-old has played in 22 A-League games for City, including a 35-minute stint off the bench in their recent grand final loss to Sydney, as well as representing Australia from under-17s to under-23s.
Najjarine's arrival in Newcastle, on a one-year deal, comes after an off-season dominated by departures.
The Jets' campaign had barely finished when former Socceroo Dimi Petratos was released to accept a lucrative deal with Saudi Arabian club Al-Wehda.
Overseas imports Arroyo (Israel) and Wes Hoolahan (England) opted to ply their trade elsewhere, while veteran goalkeper Glen Moss announced his retirement.
Welsh international Joe Ledley's hopes of returning next season are likely to hinge on whether his family are able to enter the country.
In addition, former Melbourne Victory defender James Donachie - who had signed a three-year deal with Newcastle - was released to link with Indian Super League side FC Goa for a season.
Fullback Matt Millar, who played in 24 games in his first season with the Jets, is joining English third-division club Shrewsbury Town on a short-term loan until January 1.
After debuting in the A-League as an 18-year-old, Najjarine felt ready to "step up and show what I can do and do it consistently at a high level". "I think now the right time to step up and show what I can do and do it consistently at a high level," Najjarine said.
He admitted that representing Australia at Tokyo 2021 is dream he hopes to realise.
"Every young player wants to be in that Olympic squad come next year," he said. "I know it's not going to be easy.
"I think that coming to this team, giving 100 per cent and hopefully having some success is the best step in my career to achieve that."
He noted Newcastle's improvement last season under new coach Carl Robinson.
"The standards since the new gaffer came in has been pretty clear for all to see," Najjarine said "It's impressive. I like the way he has the team playing, I like his philosophies and I really want to push for major role with the team moving forward."
Robinson described Najjarine as "a very talented youngster who comes to us with excellent references both on his character and his ability".
AAP reports: Wellington Phoenix have dragged Football Federation Australia to court over a contract dispute, though a settlement is expected within days.
New Zealand's sole A-League club and the league's governing body are listed to appear next Tuesday in the NSW Supreme Court's equity division.
Wellington's ownership consortium has filed documents with the court outlining their claim but they will not be publicly released until FFA has formally submitted its reply.
The court determines disputes valued at more than $750,000.
Sources have told AAP the matter is subject to ongoing negotiations, with the matter likely to be resolved out of court in the coming days.
Both FFA and Wellington have declined to speak publicly about the dispute or confirm the subject of their conflict.
Previous reports suggest it may be linked to audience metrics.
Last year, the Sydney Morning Herald reported FFA sent the Phoenix a bill for almost $1 million as Wellington didn't meet benchmarks prescribed in their previous licence agreement.
Wellington's stay in the competition was extended by four years in 2016, conditional on an increase in attendance and television ratings.
At the time the Phoenix were struggling to make their impact on the league, winning two wooden spoons in their opening eight seasons.
They've enjoyed better fortunes in the past two seasons, reaching the finals both years and igniting the professional careers of young Australian coaches Mark Rudan and Ufuk Talay.
Still, the Nix have reportedly failed to reach those benchmarks, prompting the contractual brouhaha.
A spokesman for the Phoenix denied the court listing related to the metrics issue.
There are still vast uncertainties surrounding the A-League, which has yet to fixture the upcoming season due to COVID-19.
The players union and league have been locked in a dispute over player payments though the parties are closing on a new collective bargaining agreement.
The league's broadcasting agreement with Fox Sports is also entering its final season after it was renegotiated earlier this year.
Wellington and its ownership remain committed to the A-League, with Welnix chairman Rob Morrison enjoying the support of other league chairmen to stay in the competition.
