Also don't understand the Diego/Clapham comparison - one plays for the Nix, the other for Canterbury, one is eligible for the AWs the other isn't, the one playing for the Nix signed a contract that counts towards the salary cap before the other emerged as one of the better local players, so what exactly are we comparing here?
Comparing one of 'the best' kiwi footballers with one of 'the worst' Nix footballers. If both were signed to the Nix, Id put $100 on Clapham getting closer to warming the bench (at very least) than Diego.Diego shouldnt have been offered a contract as long as the one he signed when any player in the ASB Prem could be doing exactly what hes being doing for the last two seasons (ie. training, hardly even making the bench, playing against other ASB Prem sides..). Basically taking a free ride through professional football, when other kiwis could be using the experience to better themselves ie. Clapham.
But the point is Diego was signed in expectation he'd be a starter and an important player for the Nix - it didn't work out like that. No NZ player at the time offered a viable alternative to Diego, and Clapham wasn't even on the radar.
Releasing Diego before the contract is up isn't a financially sound move - it still counts against the salary cap, and if you bring someone else in, you end up paying for two players while only actually having one. So it's just a cut your losses and wait type of situation.