By Marco Monteverde
Copyright news
Ibusuki, the 34-year-old marksman who also spent two and a half seasons with Adelaide United, had the chance to join Perth Glory, but instead signed a season-long deal with Indian Super League club East Bengal, while Lauton’s expected move to Brisbane Roar was on Thursday confirmed by the Queensland club.
The pair join Angus Thurgate (Western Sydney Wanderers), Abel Walatee (Sydney FC), Matthew Grimaldi (Melbourne Victory), Tomoki Imai (Machida Zelvia, Japan), Ramy Najjarine (Wellington Phoenix), Dylan Leonard (Schalke 04, Germany), Charbel Shamoon (Perth Glory), Besian Kutleshi (Melbourne City) and Oliver Lavale (South Melbourne) as players to have found new homes since their United contracts were terminated after the financially embattled club was excluded from the 2025-26 A-League competition.
It’s understood that two other former United players – midfielder Rhys Bozinovski and striker Jake Najdovski – are close to securing deals to other A-League clubs.
However, other ex-United players – including former skipper Ben Garuccio, goalkeeper Matt Sutton and fullback Tate Russell – are yet to have found new clubs.
Lauton, 22, said he felt “very fortuitous” to have the chance to play alongside new teammates in Brisbane after signing a two-year deal with the Roar.
