Australia-bound striker Guy Bates to leave Glenavon
Last updated on .From the section Football
Glenavon have revealed that striker Guy Bates will leave the club to move to Australia after Friday night's Premiership game with Ballymena United.
Bates, 28, was starting his third season with the Mourneview Park club.
"Due to a change in Guy's circumstances he will be leaving for Australia on Sunday to join his family business out there," a club statement explained.
"Guy has had to make this difficult decision and I understand that completely," said boss Gary Hamilton.
"He has assured me that, should he ever return to Ireland, he will give us first refusal on his services," added the Mourneview manager.
Bates has played a major part in the revival of the club's fortunes in recent seasons, culminating in an Irish Cup final success in May.
"His contribution to the progress we have made has been tremendous and we will miss him, there's no doubt about that," enthused Hamilton.
Newcastle-born Bates counts League of Ireland side Drogheda United among his former clubs.
