Victory today confirmed that inaugural squad member Allsopp has made a permanent move to Qatari side Al-Rayyan Sports Club.

The fee is said to be worth around $1 million over two seasons and the parties will finalise personal terms over the next few days.

Allsopp, 31, will have a medical in Doha on Wednesday and if that goes through, is set to make his debut this weekend in the opening round of the 12-team Q-League.

Speaking from Melbourne airport moments before a 10pm flight to Qatar, Ritchie Hinton of Elite Sports Properties told au.fourfourtwo.com that a trickle can easily turn into a flood when it comes to west Asia.

"Often these things can have a snowball effect," said Hinton. "We saw that last season with Chinese and South Korean clubs signing A-League players like Sash Ognenovski, Jade North, Antun Kovacevic and Joel Griffiths.

"Obviously there's a reasonable amount of money over there [in west Asia]."

Gold Coast United star Adam Griffiths signed with Al Shabab in Saudi Arabia earlier this season and three years ago Tony Popovic played in the Qatari league.

If Griffiths and Allsopp do well, it could well open the door for more raids on the A-League from such comparatively wealthy clubs.

Hinton added that playing in tough conditions in a country that will host the next Asian Cup in 2011 will only enhance the striker's claims to a spot in the national team.

"Hopefully playing in those conditions doesn't do his Socceroo chances any harm, especially in a league with quite a few international players from around the world."

Allsopp is set to be coached by former Saudi national team coach and Flamengo boss Marcos Paqueta.The Brazilian is one of the most respected coaches in the region.

The two-time Victory Medallist played a major role in Melbourne Victory's two Premierships and Championships, winning the Golden Boot in 2006/07 and making his senior international debut for Australia in 2007.

"I just again want to thank the fans, they've been fantastic to me and it's been a great four years," Allsopp said.

"This will be a new experience for me and my family and I'm really looking forward to the challenge."