Former marquee star striker Bruno Fornaroli has finally exited Melbourne City after a tumultuous season at the club he helped put into the record books.
The Uruguayan joined the club in 2015 and made an immediate impact, scoring 25 goals in his debut season and following that up with another 17 the following year.
He broke his ankle in 2017/18 and was restricted to the last few games of the season, but still found the net five times out of his his six games of the season.
But trouble struck at the start of this season when he fell out of favour with coach Warren Joyce who insisted Fornaroli was failed to meet expectations.
He was frozen out of the side as City bosses tried to offload him elsewhere in the A-League and City struggled on with limited striking resources.
Since November, Fornaroli has cut a forlorn figure watching games from the stands without any hope of making a playing appearance.
FORNAROLI OF HONOUR
2015 - Joins City
2015/16 - Scores 25 goals
2016 - Wins Golden Boot
2016 - Wins FFA Cup
2016 - Wins Mark Viduka Medal
2016- Tells everyone to F*** off on live TV
2016/17 - Becomes marquee
2016/17 - Becomes skipper
2016/17 - Scores 17 goals
2017/18 - Breaks ankle
2018 - Scores five goals in six games
2018/19 - Scores late winner in FFA Cup round of 32
Nov 2018 - Frozen out for the rest of the season
2019 - Announces he will join Perth Glory next season
Socceroo Jamie Maclaren was finally signed by City on his return from the Asian Cup and he has settled straight into the side's striking role, scoring a goal a game so far.
Now Fornaroli is set to join Perth Glory next season – but City today finally released him from his contract early.
A club statement added: "Melbourne City FC and Bruno Fornaroli have mutually agreed that Bruno will depart the Club, effective immediately.
"Bruno joined Melbourne City from Uruguayan side, Danubio in 2015, and scored on his debut in an FFA Cup match against Wellington Phoenix, going on to win the Golden Boot in the 2015-16 season.
"The following year, Bruno went on to captain the side in its first trophy success – the 2016 FFA Cup. Over four seasons with Melbourne City, Bruno registered 57 goals in all competitions.
"The club thanks Bruno for his contribution over the last three and a half years with Melbourne City and wishes him the best for the future."
Related Articles

Melbourne City, Perth Glory bid to bag Socceroos free agent

Leckie seals new marquee deal as Good, Maclaren head to Asia
