au.fourfourtwo.com understands that the Indonesian club – which played in the Asian Champions League group stages this year – wanted the 27-year-old on a plane today for Indonesia.

Malang is coached by Czech manager Miroslav Janu who is big fan of Rees's strength and aerial ability.

He expressed surprise, along with many other A-League observers, that Rees had been released by Adelaide after being a mainstay of the defense which had been the most consistent over the first two A-league seasons.

Despite the lucrative nature of the offer, Rees decided against a move to the East Javan club, telling au.fourfourtwo.com: "I still feel that I have plenty to offer the A-League.

"Although the financial package was tempting, my manager and I both agreed that I should persevere with Australia for the time being."

With Hayden Foxe out with a serious knee injury at Perth Glory, Rees could be a ready-made replacement, not just for Foxe, but for any A-League club looking to bring in players to cover defensive injuries.

In the meantime, Rees will continue to play in the Victorian Foxtel Cup for Whittlesea Zebras, former club of another A-League player, Billy Celeski.

Since joining the Zebras earlier in the season, Rees has almost single-handedly dragged the team out of the relegation zone into the finals spots, including wins against the AIS and Melbourne Knights.