Michael MifsudMichael Mifsud’s adventure in Australia has ended prematurely after the Malta captain yesterday terminated his contract with A-League club Melbourne Heart.
“It was my decision to end the contract with Melbourne Heart as I had to return to Malta for family reasons,” Mifsud told Times of Malta yesterday.
“The coach (John van’t Schip) asked me to stay for the remaining games but it was not possible.
“I take the opportunity to thank Melbourne Heart for making me feel so welcome during my spell at the club. Playing in the A-League was definitely a great experience.
“I was part of a fantastic squad. I received a text message from my Dutch team-mate Orlando Engelaar saying that the players are already missing me.”
Melbourne Heart FC yesterday confirmed Mifsud’s exit.
“Melbourne Heart FC has released striker Michael Mifsud to allow him to return home to Malta with his family,” the A-League club said in a statement also announcing that striker David Williams has signed a new two-year deal.
Mifsud, who turns 33 next month, had inked a one-year deal with Melbourne Heart in September.
After leaving Valletta FC by mutual agreement in the summer, Mifsud was determined to join an overseas club, having enjoyed spells with Kaiserslautern, Lillestrom, Coventry City and Barnsley earlier in his career.
Mifsud did well to earn a regular place under John Aloisi but the latter lost his job after Melbourne endured a dismal start to the season ‘down under’.
The nippy striker, Malta’s all-time leading scorer with 39 goals, featured only once under new coach John van’t Schip as a rib injury shattered his hopes of a sustained run in the first team under the former Dutch international.
Earlier this month, Mifsud, who scored once in 14 A-League games for Melbourne Heart, made his 103rd appearance for Malta in a 2-0 friendly defeat to Albania.