Western United captain Josh Risdon is leaving the A-League club he has been at since 2019.
In a video, on the club’s social media, Risdon made the announcement that he was departing the club.
“I just want to officially say that I will be parting ways with the club, and I’d like to say thankyou for everyone involved,” he said.
“My time here has been great. I’ve loved every minute of it. I’ve been here from the very start and to see where this club has come in such a short space of time is incredible.
“To playing at different venues, training out at Georgies [Caroline Springs George Cross] at the start to finally being at our home in Tarneit and slowly everything’s getting built around us.
“I just want to say thank you to all my teammates who I’ve been with throughout these five years. everyone at the club staff, everyone from high up all the way down to community staff and in particular our football department.
“And lastly to all the fans, you’ve been extremely great for these fives years you’ve travelled to a a few different places and always been there supporting us, and really appreciate the support you have given to me and the players, it doesn’t go unnoticed.
“I wish nothing best for this club in the future. I’ll be watching from afar.”
Risdon leaves the club after 90 games, the fifth most in club history. He captained the side in the grand final win in 2022 and he won the club’s player of the season medal in 2022-23.
Football general manager Mal Impiombato hailed Risdon as one of the club’s all-time greats.
“As a foundation player of the club, Josh has played a significant role in our journey both as a person and as a footballer, and we are extremely proud to have him as a leading figure in our club’s history,” he said.
“His commitment on the pitch has been matched by his personality off it, and I am sure he has had a positive impact on every single person that he has interacted with at our club.
“On behalf of our football department and our entire club, I want to sincerely thank Josh for his contributions to Western United. I wish him and his family all the very best in the future, and they will always be welcome at Western United.”
