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Top Australian player Carle to sign with Fenerbahce
SYDNEY (AFP) - Australian A-League player of the year Nick Carle is poised to sign with Turkish champions Fenerbahce, his club said on Thursday.
The 25-year-old midfielder, who last week earned a call-up to Australia's Asian Cup squad, is undergoing a medical in Istanbul and could sign with the club before the end of the week, the Newcastle Jets said.
Playmaker Carle wants to return to Europe, following a stint with French club Troyes in 2001-2002, to further his career and boost his chances of remaining in the national side.
Brazilian legend and former Japanese national coach Zico is in charge of the 17-time Turkish champions.
Newcastle chief executive George Liolio said although the Jets were disappointed to lose Carle, they were determined to do "good business" out of the deal.
"We've put a hefty transfer fee on him - it's close to 600,000 dollars (505,000 US dollars)," Liolio said.
"We considered Nicky as someone we'd have long-term and just at the right age, with a great image.
"But unfortunately he wanted to go and you can't stand in a player's way and you have to do some good business out of it all."
Liolio said Carle, who has three years left on his Jets contract, could sign in the next day or two.
The Jets have already taken steps to fill Carle's void with the signing of 25-year-old Argentinian midfielder Livio Prieto. The club has also signed Argentinian striker Jorge Drovandi, English-based Australian Adam Griffiths and Brazilian striker Flavio Barros for the new A-League season starting in August.
Carle was voted the A-League player of the year last season after leading the Jets from last place into the A-League finals series.
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