Subway Socceroo Craig Goodwin is joining Saudi Pro League club Al-Wehda for the second time in his career for an undisclosed fee.
The Adelaide United captain and all-time leading scorer has made the tough decision to leave his hometown team to return to the Gulf country in what he called a 'life changing opportunity' for himself and his family.
In 2019 Goodwin departed Adelaide for Al-Wehda, where he netted four goals in 29 matches and was also briefly sent on loan to Abha before later being loaned back to the South Australian outfit in February 2021. After an 18-month loan spell, Goodwin signed permanently with United in July 2022 and continued to flourish.
A message from Craig.
Read more: https://t.co/NZTdS3OyjU pic.twitter.com/0UFk9KEfQ5— Adelaide United (@AdelaideUnited) September 8, 2023
The 2022/23 season was the 31-year-old's most productive to date, phenomenal at both club and international level with the Reds and the Socceroos respectively.
Goodwin was named in Graham Arnold's squad for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and scored in the match against France and later finished the A-League Men's season with 15 goals and 10 assists to be awarded the Johnny Warren Medallist.
The left-winger, who has 16 caps and two goals for his country, leaves the Reds for a third time as arguably the club's greatest ever player.
In statement on Adelaide United's website, Goodwin said: “It was never really in my plans to leave Adelaide, but this opportunity presented itself and it was an offer that the club and I decided was best for both parties.
“I’m a South Australia boy, it’s a special place and it’s where I have so many memories, and experiences, and I have made so many lifelong friends from the pitch to the grandstands.
“It’s where I started my footballing journey, playing for this club and representing this state and its people has been a privilege.
“I will now have the chance to play alongside some of the best in the world and keep testing my ability, which is what drives me as a professional footballer.
“To my Adelaide United family – I will be watching and supporting the Club as I always have.
Across his three stints with Adelaide, Goodwin scored 60 goals in 168 appearances in all competitions.