Melbourne City FC can confirm that it has released Singaporean international Safuwan Baharudin effectively immediately, with the defender ruled out for the remainder of the season with a back injury.

While Safuwan's contract allows him to feature in Melbourne City FC’s final regular season fixture and the Finals Series in 2015, the defender will return home to Singapore in order to arrive for treatment and before the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) transfer window closes next week.

Safuwan, who joined Melbourne City FC in the January transfer window on a short-term contract, played six matches in the Hyundai A-League.