Perth Glory FC can confirm it has released former captain and central defender Michael Thwaite.

The club and player agreed to mutually terminate the 32-year old’s contract effective immediately.

Thwaite joined the Western Australian club in season 2012/13 and amassed a total of 85 Hyundai A-League games for Glory, scoring two goals along the way.

He was named captain of Perth Glory FC last year and played in every single Hyundai A-League match of the 2014/15 season, steering the club to its historic maiden FFA Cup final.

Thwaite will explore new opportunities at Chinese Super League football club Liaoning Whowin FC.

Club CEO Peter Filopoulos thanked Thwaite for his service, passion and hard work, on and off the field.

“Michael’s had some ambitions to explore opportunities overseas which we’ve known about for a while and we’re not standing in his way. We wish him the best of luck going forward” he said.

Filopoulos said Glory supporters would have good reason to get excited about with some player announcements expected to be made before the transfer window closed early next month.

Glory hosts Hyundai A-League champions Melbourne Victory at nib Stadium this Saturday night.

Registered Football West players can get two FREE tickets to this weekend's match HERE