Gui Finkler will depart Melbourne Victory at the end of the season to join A-League rivals Wellington Phoenix after accepting a lucrative marquee contract.
The Brazilian, who was distraught at being axed from the Asian Champions League for a second time, is believed to have signed a multi-year deal withthe Kiwi club.
The swoop echoes Phoenix's capture of Kosta Barbarouses for next season on a marquee deal, sanctioned by former Victory boss Ernie Merrick.
It's understood that Victory did not table a formal offer to Finkler, who was in tears after Kevin Muscat broke the news of his ACL omission along with Fahid Ben Khalfallah. Thereafter Finkler's Victory exit appeared inevitable.
"I don't want to leave the club, but I'm only human and it's pretty hard to feel valued when decisions like these are made," Finkler said.
"I'm disappointed not be selected, especially as it's the second time this has happened. I think I've done everything I can - so it definitely hurts.
"You will have to ask the coach what his reasons are but I think I offer a lot of creativity to the team, which I believe is important in a competition like this.
"I feel I'm in the best physical condition of my career - I think the GPS results show that too."
