Socceroo Says Goodbye to Sydney FC After Six Seasons in Search of ‘Continental Football’

Sydney FC has officially announced that midfielder Anthony Caceres, who has made 216 appearances for the Sky Blues and represents the Subway Socceroos, will be leaving the Isuzu UTE A-League club after an impressive six-season tenure.

The 32-year-old has decided to conclude his celebrated chapter with Sydney FC after the club and he were unable to come to an agreement regarding a new contract.

In a statement released by the club, Sydney FC mentioned that “a strong offer” had been extended to retain Caceres; however, the midfielder will not be returning for the Isuzu UTE A-League 2025-26 season due to his desire to pursue continental football in a World Cup season and to make a decision that he feels is best for his family.

During his time with the Sky Blues, Caceres enjoyed significant success, winning two Isuzu UTE A-League Championships in 2019 and 2020, along with the 2020 Premiership and the Australia Cup title in 2023.

He was named Sydney FC’s Player of the Year and Members’ Player of the Year for the 2021-22 season and scored 18 goals throughout his 216 appearances in all competitions for the club.

Caceres made his senior international debut in a World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia in November 2024 and has since earned four caps for the Socceroos.

With the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup approaching, the departing midfielder has expressed his ambition to secure a place in Australia’s squad for the prestigious tournament as he bids farewell to the club that he has called home since 2019.

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“I’m extremely thankful for the love and support I’ve received from our members and fans throughout the years. It’s been a privilege to wear the Sky Blue shirt and represent such a respected club,” Caceres stated.

“I want to express my gratitude to all of my teammates, both past and present, as well as the remarkable staff who have guided me during my time here. I’ve forged friendships and memories that I will cherish forever.

“This is a crucial juncture in my career, and I need to prioritise my family. I also aim to continue striving for further opportunities with the Socceroos, with the ultimate goal of being part of the World Cup squad.”

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Caceres becomes the eighth player to exit the Sky Blues following the conclusion of the Isuzu UTE A-League 2024-25 season, joining Patryk Klimala (end of loan), Andrew Redmayne, Jaushua Sotirio (end of loan), Jaiden Kucharski, Max Burgess, Anas Ouahim, and Adrian Segecic at the departure gate.

While expressing his disappointment about Caceres’ exit, Sydney FC head coach Ufuk Talay thanked the seasoned midfielder for his contributions throughout his six-year spell with the club.

“We’re saddened to see Anthony go – he’s been an instrumental figure at the club for many years, and we were very eager to keep him,” Talay remarked. “However, it’s a delicate balancing act when it comes to re-signing experienced players and building a squad, especially in light of the adjustments in the salary cap.”

“We fully understand Anthony’s decision, even though we’re disappointed, and we wish him and his family the very best in their future endeavours,” he added. “His departure, however, will provide one of our talented young players with an excellent opportunity to showcase their skills, and we are making significant progress on a number of new signings to bolster our squad.”