Sydney FC star stays
Joe Lolley joined Sydney from Nottingham Forest in 2022 on a free transfer. Since then, the 31-year-old winger has become one of the best players in the A-League. Lolley has scored 13 goals in 39 league appearances for the Sky Blue. He also played a key role in Sydney FC’s 2023 Australian Cup win at the Allianz Stadium last October.
According to TransferMarkt, Lolley is the second most valuable player in the A-League with an approximate transfer value of $2.2 million. Only Melbourne City’s Jamie Maclaren, who is valued at $2.7 million, has a higher approximate value.
Given his high profile, it’s not surprising that Lolley was on a number of team’s shortlists during this transfer period. Reportedly, Melbourne Victory, who are second in the A-League table, and Western Sydney Wanderers, who are third, pushed hard to sign Lolley. There was also some interest from his home country with clubs from England inquiring about the Sydney FC winger. In the end though, there was only one option for Lolley.
“Once I knew the club wanted to keep me for the longer term I wanted to make sure I got it done as soon as possible,” Lolley explained in a club statement. “I love being here and living in this wonderful city, so I’m delighted to be signing for two more years.”
Lolley’s current contract is reportedly worth over $1 million per season, which makes him one of the highest players in the A-League.
Lolley stays despite financial woes
The A-League dominated the news cycle for all the wrong reasons this week. The Australian Professional Leagues, who own and run all A-League men’s and women’s competitions, announced an “organisational restructure” this week, which has led to a massive jobs cut. Reportedly, up to 50% of the Australian Professional Leagues personnel could be made redundant.
KeepUp, the Australian Professional Leagues’ digital media company, will no longer exist following this organisational restructure. Other consolidations are also expected to be announced. In a letter to A-League commissioner Nick Garcia, the Australian Professional Leagues said there is a strong need to “create efficiencies through consolidation.”
Both Lolley and Sydney FC addressed the A-League’s financial crisis in their statement announcing his new contract. Lolley described the current situation as “a chance for the A-League to reset itself and grow in the future.”
Lolley can become club legend says Sky Blues head coach
Sydney FC head coach Ufuk Talay spoke glowingly about Lolley’s decision to stay with the Sky Blues. “Joe is one of our leaders and his form this season has been first-class,” said the Sydney FC boss. “He has embraced what we are about as a team and as a club and I know our Members will be delighted to know they can see him perform during the prime years of his career.”
“Joe has the potential to win a lot more trophies for this club and if he does that, then he will be up there with the greats of Sydney FC,” Talay said.
