Football: Auckland feel the Payne as several players depart

Midfielder Tim Payne has his eye on an MLS contract. Photo / Photosport

All Whites midfielder Tim Payne has his sights on an MLS contract, as a mini exodus of players starts from Auckland City.

Payne is one of several definitely leaving or expected to depart in the wake of the club's staggering success at December's Fifa Club World Cup.

The same scenario was envisaged with the All Whites after the 2010 World Cup but never really eventuated, apart from Winston Reid's move to West Ham. But the ASB Premiership club are becoming a victim of their own success in finishing third in Morocco.

Payne, who scored two crucial shootout penalties at the Club World Cup, will miss the climax of the domestic season and Oceania Champions League as he trials with the Portland Timbers this month.

Meanwhile, striker Fabrizio Tavano is trialing with Club De Futbol Tigre in Mexico. It's a great opportunity - the Monterrey-based club play in the top tier of Mexican football (Liga MX) and have been league champions three times, most recently in 2011. They have players from Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Ecuador and the United States.

Mexican-born Tavano is not classed as an import and spent two seasons in the youth system at Liga MX club Santos Laguna.

His move follows that of Emiliano Tade, who returned to Argentina to play for home-town team Club Atletico de Mitre.

Defender John Irving has trialed with League Two club Portsmouth and will return for another in July once the English season has ended.

"It's going to make it very hard but it's the way it is," Auckland City coach Ramon Tribulietx said. "On the one hand, we are delighted for these players that they get to fulfil their professional dreams. On the other hand, it's very difficult to lose key players at this stage of the season, especially with our structures and the way we play. It's not that easy for someone else to slot in."

Of everyone at Auckland City, Tribulietx was probably the subject of most speculation, as architect of the Club World Cup success. He admits to attracting plenty of overseas interest but he will not consider anything until the end of the season.

"I've got a job to do here at Auckland City. We have the league to focus on and then, hopefully, the Oceania Champions League, which will be extremely tough this year, being played in Fiji. And as I say, I love my job at Auckland City, so it would take something pretty special to make me consider leaving."