Fringe Socceroo Riley McGree has officially informed Adelaide United of his intent to leave Hindmarsh for Belgium’s Club Brugge.

Adelaide United football manager Ante Kovacevic told The Advertiser it was now a matter of the Reds and Club Brugge ‘finalising’ paper work and agreement for the boom 18-year-old to leave.

Kurz reveals reasons for taking Reds’ top job

Incoming Reds coach Marco Kurz had extensive dialogue with McGree in an attempt to retain the gun midfielder. However McGree wanted to follow his “European dream”.

“I have spoken to him from Germany and Adelaide but his decision to leave Adelaide United is fixed. I wish him good luck for Europe,” said Kurz of 18-year-old midfielder McGree who starred across 16 A-League games of his rookie season.

“That is normal, that is the dream for Australian players to go to Europe when you have chance. It is the same in Germany when you have the offer from another club.

“I spoke to him that when he comes in need of information I can help.”

media_camera New Adelaide Untied coach Marco Kurz yesterday. Picture: Sarah Reed

McGree catapulted to prominence from a $20,000 Reds scholarship at the start of 2016-17 and became a first-team linchpin under former boss Guillermo Amor in United’s domestic and Champions League campaigns.

Socceroos squad recognition followed in March with Ange Postecoglou impressed by his versatility and composure.

The Reds were disappointed that Club Brugge swooped on McGree organised an unauthorised medical this month for the Gawler product whose market value has skyrocketed.

New Adelaide United coach Marco Kurz has some stern words for his new team

However, Reds football manager Ante Kovacevic said final transfer details were being worked out after McGree informed the club of his intentions.

Kurz accepts there is consternation with critical recruiting required five weeks before the start of United’s FFA Cup campaign. Adelaide featured a high possession game under Spaniards Josep Gombau and Amor but former Kaiserslautern, Hoffenheim and 1860 Munich boss Kurz will tailor a philosophy around recruits.

Naturalised playmaker Marcelo Carrusca is unlikely to return to Hindmarsh while Kurz must replace McGree, championship stoppers Dylan McGowan, Iacopo La Rocca and winger Cirio.

“For a coach the quicker the better. We talked to players and wait for a decision,” said Kurz who has three foreign slots to fill.

type_quote_start We search for players in the offence, good midfielder and a defender. type_quote_end

Kurz is mindful of the damage caused by Adelaide’s upset FFA Cup elimination against Queensland minnow Redlands United last August. The Reds fell from 2015-16 champion to second bottom last season under Amor.

United has drawn Newcastle Jets in the knockout competition’s round of 32.

“We will go step by step but it is good for the season to play well in the Cup,” said Kurz.