From The World Game website
Mariners sell Simon to Chunnam Dragons
30 December 2011-SBS and AAP
Off to Korea ... Central Coast striker Simon is granted his overseas wish (Getty)
Central Coast Mariners striker Matt Simon will leave the A-League leader next week after landing a South Korean club deal.
The 25-year-old has signed a three-year contract with K-League club Chunnam Dragons, which should help ease some of the financial pressures on the Mariners.
Although saddened to be leaving his hometown club, Simon, an East Gosford Rams junior, said the opportunity to play abroad combined with the Dragons offer was simply too good to refuse.
“It has always been a goal of mine to play overseas and this is an opportunity for me to take the next step in my career,” Simon said.
“I’ve had a lot of great memories at the Mariners. I’ve loved playing for the club and I’ve loved playing for the fans.”
“Since the start of the A-League the fans have been great to me and I can’t thank them enough. Hopefully I’ll get to play for them again when my time overseas comes to an end.”
Mariners chairman Peter Turnbull said his club could not match the lucrative offer for Simon, understood to be around $400,000 a season.
"I don't think any A-League club is able to, under the current financial model, compete with the big overseas clubs," Turnbull said.
"This is an opportunity for Matt to set himself up for life with a three-year contract and a salary to match that opportunity."
Simon confirmed the deal was good for the club's ailing coffers.
"There Was a fee paid, it wasn’t a free transfer, so they did get some compensation so I think that helped them make their decision," he told Fox Sports News.
Central Coast coach Graham Arnold believes Simon will one day return to the Gosford-based club.
"I think you will see him back here one day," Arnold said.
"He came here as an amateur and has spent the last five years performing in the first team exceptionally well.
"I had the privilege of working with Matt in the Olympic team. Not only is he, in my view, a hell of a good footballer, he's a great guy, he's a great club man and I don't think there's anyone that deserves this more than Matty Simon."
The 25-year-old had a whirlwind 48 hours from when the offer was made to securing a release from the Mariners.
"It is a little bit blurry at the moment ... I fly out on Thursday," he said.
"I'm really grateful to the club, and how easy they made it for me in my decision to go.
"It was too good (an offer) to turn down. The only thing I'm sad about is leaving the boys at this great time."
Arnold is looking to get full value from Simon in his final two A-League games prior to departure.
"Matty has guaranteed me six points," Arnold quipped.
The Mariners are planning a farewell for Simon at the Melbourne Victory match on Wednesday, but it's this weekend's clash with Gold Coast United that Arnold has in his sights.
"I think they are one of the most unpredictable teams to play," he said.
"They are a difficult team to beat and have become very dangerous on the counter."
Arnold will be without defensive midfielder Rostyn Griffiths, who missed last week's Perth match with a hip injury.
"(John) Hutch (Hutchinson) did a fantastic job last week against Perth Glory," Arnold said.
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