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Perth Glory's rebuild has been dealt a huge blow after captain Brandon O'Neill was granted an early release from the club.
Perth Glory have expressed their disappointment after captain Brandon O'Neill secured an early release from the A-League men club citing family reasons.
But the Glory were given some good news on Friday when fringe Socceroos midfielder Mustafa Amini signed with the club on a three-year deal.
O'Neill was still contracted for another two seasons after signing a three-year deal with his hometown club last July.
Glory revealed the 28-year-old first approached the club in February asking for a release, with the request now granted.
O'Neill, who became a father for the first time late last year, expressed to the club he would be unable to perform to the best of his abilities while living in Perth.
"Brandon was made captain of the club and for him to now ask for a release one year into a three-year deal is naturally very disappointing," Glory chief executive Tony Pignata said.
"However, if a player no longer wishes to play for Perth Glory, there is no point in forcing them to stay."
O'Neill played just 10 matches last season before dislocating his shoulder in a 2-0 loss to Sydney FC in March.
The one-cap Socceroo spent five seasons at the Sky Blues in what became a golden period of his career and it remains to be seen whether he returns to Sydney.
O'Neill stressed his decision to leave Glory had nothing to do with the club's hefty restructure, which has seen Ruben Zadkovich take over as coach from the sacked Richard Garcia.
"It is unfortunate how things have worked out since I came back to the club last year," O'Neill said in a statement.
"But Perth Glory will always retain a special place in my heart.
"I believe Glory is in great hands going forward following the recent changes in the football department and my decision was made before any of this materialised, based on my feeling of not being able to perform in Perth."
Glory finished with the wooden spoon last season and they recently confirmed the departure of injury-hit marquee Daniel Sturridge.
Amini debuted for Central Coast Mariners aged just 17 and after two seasons made the move to Europe, where he spent time at Borussia Dortmund, Randers FC, AGF, Apollon Limassol and PAEEK.
The 29-year-old moved back to Australia late last year to link up with Sydney FC, where he notched 17 games.
"I'm really looking forward to the challenge of being part of a rebuild of Perth Glory, getting the club back to the top, working under Ruben Zadkovich," Amini said.
