SOCCEROO defender Matt Jurman has touched down in Newcastle and will start training with the Jets after he passes a medical.
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But whether Jurman is joined by other major Australian recruit Cam Devlin may not be known until the completion of the Tokyo Olympics.
Devlin's manager Tony Rallis on Monday confirmed that the Olyroos midfielder is in the sights of a number of clubs in Europe.
"Talks are quite advanced with one party and we will have a clear indication by the end of the Olympics," Rallis said. "Newcastle are aware of the whole process. Whether it comes to fruition, we should know in the next two or three weeks. Otherwise Cameron will remain a player with the Newcastle Jets football club."
Devlin, who is yet to feature in the Olyroos' opening two games in Tokyo, signed a two-year contract with the Jets in June but has an exit clause to pursue an overseas deal.
Jets executive chairman Shane Mattiske said they would like "a resolution sooner rather than later".
"We want him to stay, but if he does go we need to sign a replacement," Mattiske said.
Jurman's arrival coincided with confirmation on Monday that last season's player of the year and 344-game veteran Nikolai Topor-Stanley will not be at the club.
Although not among the players officially released at the end of last season, it has been clear for some time that the vice-captain was not part of the plans under new coach Arthur Papas.
Apart from Jurman, the Jets have recruited Adelaide centreback Jordan Elsey and emerging defender Riley Warland.
Topor-Stanley has played every minute of every game in the past four seasons but it is unclear if he intends to play on. He had been linked with a stint at Victorian NPL club South Melbourne before the latest COVID lockdown.
"It has been an honour to represent the region and its people each and every time I've stepped onto the pitch," Topor-Stanley said in a statement released by the Jets. "Through the high and lows, I can hold my head high and say I've given everything for the shirt, and now looking forward, I wish everyone all the very best."
The Jets are in their third week of pre-season training. They are pencilled in to play Western United in an FFA Cup qualifier in Melbourne on August 17 but that will hinge on approval to enter Victoria.
"There is some chance that we could fly in, play in front of no crowd and fly out," Mattiske said.
The winner of that match is scheduled to take on Wellington Phoenix.
That is now in doubt given the New Zealand government has shut the trans-Tasman bubble for the next two months, ending quarantine-free travel arrangements.
Meanwhile, Western Sydney have confirmed the recruitment of former Jets defender Johnny Koutroumbis on a two-year deal.
Koutroumbis had the final year of his contract in Newcastle mutually terminated earlier this month, bringing an end to his five years at the Jets.
He joins former teammates Steve Ugarkovic and Bernie Ibini, who followed coach Carl Robinson to Wanderers.
"The main decision to join the club was because I wanted to challenge myself under the pressure and expectation from the coaches and fans to be the best player I can possibly be," he said in a statement.
"In the short time I was under the Gaffa (head coach Carl Robinson) at the Jets, I felt as though I was a different player. He gave me the confidence and reassurance that a player like myself needs.
"I have a great belief in the gaffer, coaching staff, my new teammates, and myself.
"The goal is to try to play in as many games as I possibly can and win. From a club standpoint and with our high expectations."
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