Wellington Phoenix have lost their best player.
Star striker Roy Krishna, the winner of both the Johnny Warren Medal and Golden Boot, will on Monday afternoon confirm his exit from the club after five and a half seasons, but his next destination remains unclear.
Wellington's all-time leading scorer has been courted by numerous A-League clubs on the back of his career-high 19-goal haul, with champions Sydney FC and Melbourne City chasing hard for his signature during the latter stages of the campaign.
There is also understood to be strong interest from Asia, with The Australian's chief football writer Ray Gatt tweeting that Krishna is off to South Korea's K-League.
Wellington tabled what they felt was a competitive three-year offer in order to retain the Fijian international, who cemented his status as a Phoenix legend during his prolific 2018-19 A-League season, but it is understood he has opted to test himself elsewhere in the prime of his career.
Last week new coach Ufuk Talay said he was confident of retaining Krishna, so long as he stayed in the A-League. But perhaps he was resigned to the fact the 31-year-old has his sights set overseas.
"You can't take away that he's had a sensational season and when you have a good season your best players are going to be up there for pickings from other club, but Roy, if he decides to stay in the A-League, will be staying with Wellington Phoenix," Talay said.
Krishna joined the Phoenix midway through the 2013-14 as an injury replacement for Paul Ifill, who he overtook as the club's all-time leading scorer.
With his current 12-month contract expiring on Friday, Krishna will leave on a free. But as the highest paid player on the Phoenix roster, his exit will open up a sizeable chuck of the salary cap, giving Talay plenty of room to work with in what is now looming as a major rebuild given there are only seven players locked in for next season.
David Williams, Andrew Durante and Tom Doyle are also off-contract, with Krishna's departure now placing increased importance on securing his strike partner Williams, who scored 11 goals for the Phoenix this season.