NEWCASTLE Jets captain Jade North says he hasn't heard anything about a proposed move to an overseas club and insists he remains committed to the Jets and then North Queensland once they enter the competition.
In an unusual subplot to North finally signing with the Fury last Friday, a clause in his new deal allows him to join an overseas club should terms be agreed before June 30 next year. While potential overseas suitors initially believed North was off the market, it has now become apparent he is very much on the table after Newcastle chairman Con Constantine confirmed on Sunday night that his club was fielding offers for North to leave immediately - meaning the Jets would be owed a transfer fee.
Should no deal be agreed upon, North will join the Fury on a free transfer at the end of his current contract with Newcastle, which expires in seven months' time. But cashed-up foreign suitors - including one South Korean club - have already offered a cut-price fee to secure the 26-year-old, who was speculated to be worth about $750,000 on the open market six months back. At least two other overseas clubs have made a play for his much-coveted signature.
However, speaking during yesterday's recovery session less than 24 hours after the Jets' 1-1 draw against Adelaide United, the classy defender said he had little knowledge of any plans to shift abroad.
"This is the first I've heard of it. Some people have asked me today whether I was going overseas and I've said to them, 'I've got no idea what you're talking about'. So wherever this information has been leaked, I've got no idea," North told the Herald .
"It's kind of silly when things come out because I want to concentrate on doing the job with the Jets and then the media gets it which makes people think my mind is elsewhere, but that's not the case. I'm here, I'm the captain of the team and I want to make the finals again. How can these quotes come out when I'm signed at North Queensland for the next three years? I just don't know where it comes from."
North said he was yet to speak in any detail with Constantine about the move. "I haven't really spoken to Con about anything so unless he's got something in his mind that he wants to do, then I certainly don't know what's going on," North said. "If anything ever comes of that [going overseas], that's all great, but for now I need to be switched on here and do the job at Newcastle before I move up to North Queensland to start with them."
That job continues with the visit of under-pressure Sydney FC this weekend.
"It's always a big battle between us and Sydney and they're not going too well at the moment, but having said that, they've got some great players and they'll be like us - both trying to work hard and keep going until the end," North said.