Brisbane Chief Offers Transfer Insight on ‘Exceptional Talent’: ‘Sale Still Uncertain’

Brisbane Roar manager Ruben Zadkovich has once again heaped praise on promising young defender Lucas Herrington, but concedes that the player’s departure from the club appears imminent.

Herrington was instrumental in his team’s victory on Thursday night, with first-half goals from Sam Klein and Florin Berenguer securing a 2-1 win over league leaders Western United at Suncorp Stadium; a result that marked the end of the club’s 410-day wait for a home win.

The 17-year-old’s name has been a frequent topic of conversation for Zadkovich this season, with the Roar head coach previously declaring him the ‘best defender in Australian Football’ earlier in the year.

MATCH REPORT: Brisbane’s 410-day home drought ends as 13th shocks 3rd in major premiership twist

With recent reports indicating that Major League Soccer (MLS) outfit Colorado Rapids are in advanced negotiations to acquire the exceptional young talent, Zadkovich has once again lauded his defender while hinting that an exit could be forthcoming sooner than later.

“It’s well documented, as I mentioned at the start of the year, he’s an extraordinary talent in Australian football,” Zadkovich remarked when quizzed about Herrington.

“With a potential transfer on the horizon, this could serve as another example of a young player like Thomas Waddingham thriving in my model and within this club’s environment.”

“If that happens, it could be a significant positive for the club, especially from a financial perspective.”

Should a move to MLS materialise, it’s likely to occur shortly, as the transfer window for American clubs closes on Wednesday, April 23.

Thursday night’s unexpected win has propelled the Roar off the bottom of the Isuzu UTE A-League ladder, as they swap places with Perth Glory with three matches remaining in the campaign.

While the season has not been one to remember for the Queensland side, Zadkovich believes the rise of current young talents is a silver lining for the club.

“It may seem like a negative at the moment due to our results, but it’s a significant positive when looking towards the future,” stated Zadkovich.

“I bear a lot of the heat and pressure, which is my responsibility, and whilst our results haven’t met expectations, there are other measures of success to consider.”

“Transfers like Waddingham and the potential sale of Lucas Herrington, coupled with opportunities for players like Sam Klein and Jacob Brazete to go overseas, are promising signs. Then there’s Nathan Amanatidis and Jimmy Durrington along with other youngsters we’re developing. I see this as a shining light for us. With rotations in these final games, there’ll be increased opportunities for these players, and I look forward to seeing what they can contribute.”

Brisbane’s next challenge is a home match against Adelaide United on Tuesday night, as they aim to secure back-to-back victories for the first time this season.