Socceroos star embroiled in row as former club Brisbane Roar release statement in response to backlash

Socceroos wonderkid Lucas Herrington has become the focus of a row which has led his former club Brisbane Roar to release a statement hitting back at critics.

The 18-year-old defender has enjoyed a meteoric few weeks, making his World Cup debut in the 0-0 draw with Paraguay on Friday after being linked with a transfer to Barcelona.

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But the details of a past transfer have sparked a storm, with Brisbane coming under fire.

It was revealed the A-League side decided to cash in Herrington’s 20 per cent sell on clause that was included in the deal which saw him join Colorado Rapids.

Roar reportedly made just $560,000 by activating the clause, but they could potentially miss out on millions if Herrington is sold for a high price.

The club were criticised for being shortsighted with Herrington’s Socceroos teammate Connor Metcalfe suggesting “they’ll probably be kicking themselves” over the decision.

However Roar have defiantly hit out at the criticism, revealing they made some considerable income in the deal.

“The conversation started with Colorado Rapids approaching the Roar with a proposal to buy out the sell-on percentage the club held on Lucas at an increased valuation,” a statement read. “As with any decision of this size, the matter was taken to the club’s ownership group, as our governance requires. After reviewing the proposal, ownership directed the club to negotiate and reach an agreement. That is the process that was followed, properly and in full.

“What has been missing from the coverage is the part that matters most. How did the Roar come to hold a sell-on stake worth this much in the first place?

“The transfer itself was a record for the club and the hard work to ensure a sell-on fee was added to the deal further protected the time put into Lucas by numerous coaches and support staff.

“In total, Lucas Herrington’s transfer has now returned more than $1.5 million to Brisbane Roar.

“That is not luck. It is a deliberate strategy. Identify Queensland talent early, develop them properly, give it a genuine professional platform, and structure deals so the club shares in a player’s future.

“The same pathway that produced Lucas is producing the next group behind him, and every dollar it earns goes back into the football club.”

However the statement has only served to spark more fury in some quarters, with several Roar fans left unsatisfied over the explanation as to why the club cashed in early.

“‘We know we lost a heap of money! Here’s a statement about it saying absolutely nothing!’” wrote one fan.

“This is rubbish, the story is that you sold the club short of more money. Don’t try and spin it,” added another.

“Still should’ve held out on it, are we that desperate for the money we couldn’t have waited until after the World Cup,” wrote a third.

Another remarked: “Generational fumble by the club. Could’ve got millions.”

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