I think Rufer it wasn't until he was about 25 that he really developed into a top level A-League player, at which point he did his ACL, and he also had the whole glandular fever thing, so this explains why he didn't go overseas earlier.
He also at the very least knew he was going to become a father in the very near future when he said in the Unused Subs interview that he was still very interested in potentially moving overseas at the end of the 25/26 season.
I also happen to know that people who become fathers think about their long term ability to provide for their children and so start to look more seriously at ways they can make significantly more money, even if this involves going to places or to do work that they may not personally be so keen to do, because of their changed priorities.
And if you have been paying any attention at all you'd have noticed lots and lots of players leaving the A-League in recent years for Asia because of the ability to make a lot more money there.
Edit: i don't doubt that Rufer loves the club and would love to see the club win the trophies more than anyone, but nobody can realistically see us winning a trophy this year, and the last time we got close the team was immediately gutted and we finished 11th the next season. Even if we have a good finish to this season then Eze, Armiento & James likely leave and it would be a big gamble to stay and hope they are adequately replaced by new signings, it definitely didnt work out that way last season.
He also at the very least knew he was going to become a father in the very near future when he said in the Unused Subs interview that he was still very interested in potentially moving overseas at the end of the 25/26 season.
I also happen to know that people who become fathers think about their long term ability to provide for their children and so start to look more seriously at ways they can make significantly more money, even if this involves going to places or to do work that they may not personally be so keen to do, because of their changed priorities.
And if you have been paying any attention at all you'd have noticed lots and lots of players leaving the A-League in recent years for Asia because of the ability to make a lot more money there.
Edit: i don't doubt that Rufer loves the club and would love to see the club win the trophies more than anyone, but nobody can realistically see us winning a trophy this year, and the last time we got close the team was immediately gutted and we finished 11th the next season. Even if we have a good finish to this season then Eze, Armiento & James likely leave and it would be a big gamble to stay and hope they are adequately replaced by new signings, it definitely didnt work out that way last season.