WHEN promising youngster Joey Champness approached Newcastle Jets officials last year, seeking permission to pursue a hip-hop music career in the United States, they agreed, but on one condition.
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Before Champness flew out, they insisted that he sign a three-season contract extension, ensuring that if he did not realise his dream of finding fame and fortune as a musician, the Jets would have first option to re-employ him.
Now, with two full seasons left on that contract, Champness has returned to Australia but is apparently reluctant to resume his association with the Jets, after speculation surfaced on the weekend that he was intent on signing for Brisbane Roar.
Born in Auckland, Champness moved to Brisbane during his childhood years and played in the Roar's youth team, before linking with the Jets for their 2017-18 campaign.
The 23-year-old winger has represented Young Socceroos and scored eight goals in 36 A-League appearances for Newcastle.
Jets chief executive Lawrie McKinna was reluctant to comment on Sunday, saying he had received no official approach from Brisbane.
"We've not had any formal approach from anyone," McKinna said.
"We hear this sort of stuff all the time, but until we actually speak to them and try to sort something out, it's all just speculation."
McKinna said that, as things stand, the Jets expect Champness to attend the start of pre-season training, which has been tentatively pencilled in for late October.
"He's still under contract to us and that contract was lodged with FFA," McKinna said.
If there is no amicable resolution, the player and clubs are able to ask Professional Footballers Australia to help with mediation.
The Jets could definitely do with Champness's pace and strikepower after the recent departures of attackers Dimi Petratos (Saudi Arabia), Abdiel Arroyo (Israel) and Wes Hoolahan (England).
Had Champness attracted interest from an overseas club, the Jets could potentially have negoiated a transfer fee. Since the A-League's inception, there have been no transfer fees between its clubs, although Football Federation Australia has been discussing a domestic transfer system to "create solidarity between professional and grassroots football".
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