Star winger Joe Lolley has officially parted ways with Sydney FC after four seasons, with the club confirming the departure on Monday as a mutual decision.
The 33-year-old Englishman made 115 appearances in all competitions for the Sky Blues, scoring 36 goals. He notably won the Mark Viduka Medal for his player-of-the-match performance in Sydney's 3-1 Australia Cup final victory over Brisbane Roar in 2023 at Allianz Stadium.
However, Lolley's 2025-26 campaign was hampered by hamstring and ankle injuries, limiting him to just 11 A-League starts in the recently completed season.
"It's sad," Lolley said. "It's been an incredible part of my life and it's been an incredible dressing-room for four years, so many different people and characters, I've met and friends for life. It's never nice having to miss those people and not being able to see those people as regularly as I do, but that's life as a footballer and something you do get used to ... but I move on to my next chapter and I'm looking forward to it."
Lolley has previously been linked with moves to Perth Glory and Macarthur FC. "Ideally I'd like to stay in Australia and play football. I still feel like I can really contribute, and barring a few injuries, I feel like I'm ready to prove myself again and I'm up for whatever challenge comes my way," the former Nottingham Forest man said.
Lolley's final appearance for Sydney was as a substitute in the Sky Blues' 1-0 grand-final loss to Auckland FC last month at Go Media Stadium. "I would have liked more team awards," he said. "I have reached two semi-finals and a final since I've been here, and it would have been nice to cap it off this season and win the grand final, but overall, I think it has been successful and I've loved every minute of it."
Sky Blues coach Patrick Kisnorbo, who took charge of Sydney in March, praised Lolley as "an outstanding servant" to the club. "He is a player who sets high standards every day, whether that's in training, on matchday or around the dressing-room, and he has earned enormous respect from everyone at the club," Kisnorbo said. "His experience, professionalism and ability to influence games have been invaluable and he has played a significant role in helping drive standards within the squad."
