Jamie Maclaren, the most prolific striker in A-League Men’s history, will leave Melbourne City at end of 2023-24 season

Socceroos striker Jamie Maclaren says it’s going to be “bitter-sweet” to release Melbourne Town then a wildly a success A-League Males stint.

The contest’s file goal-scorer is but to announce the place he’ll play games then season.

However Maclaren on Tuesday introduced his coming near near leaving from Town, who play games arch-rivals Melbourne Victory in an removing ultimate on Sunday.

“It’s a bitter-sweet moment for me to leave the club that I’ve called home for the past five and a half years,” he stated in a observation.

“I’m incredibly proud of what I’ve been able to achieve here, both personally and as a team.

“I got here right here to support convey good fortune to this membership and I release realizing that I performed my position in that, the place in combination we’ve made such a lot of fond recollections and shared such a lot good fortune.”

Maclaren’s career at City has been highlighted by four Golden Boots and six trophies — including three Premierships and a Championship.

McLaren’s all-time ALM goals record stands at 154, including 115 in 163 games for City. He also captained the club.

City’s director of football Michael Petrillo described the 30-year-old as a “legend”.

“Jamie embodies the whole thing we rise for as a membership,” Petrillo stated.

“He has been an excellent footballer for us and a phenomenal position fashion for his teammates and younger fanatics.

“On the pitch, his name will remain in the record books forever.

“Now not simplest is he the league’s largest ever target scorer however he additionally made a huge contribution to our males’s crew right through their maximum a success length.

“Jamie leaves City a legend.”

Born in Sunbury, Victoria, a 15-year-old Maclaren trialled with Blackburn Rovers in England however in 2013 used to be exempted then 4 years and not using a senior look.

Maclaren joined Perth Glory and had stretches at Brisbane Roar and in Germany and Scotland earlier than becoming a member of Melbourne Town as a marquee in 2019.

AAP