Athletic Bilbao great Susaeta leaves Melbourne City

Athletic Bilbao great Markel Susaeta will not return for the resumption of the 2019-20 coronavirus-affected A-League season after terminating his Melbourne City contract.

City confirmed on Tuesday that former Athletic captain Susaeta mutually agreed to terminate his contract with immediate effect due to family reasons.

Susaeta, who joined City from Japanese giants Gamba Osaka in January on a six-month deal, has returned to Spain after not joining his team-mates in New South Wales quarantine ahead of the season restart.

The 32-year-old winger scored two goals and set up another for City – part of the City Football Group (CFG) – in 10 appearances before the league was suspended in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

We can confirm Markel Susaeta has returned to Spain for family reasons. The Club would like to thank Markel for his contribution over the past season and wishes him well for the future.

— Melbourne City FC (at) (@MelbourneCity) July 14, 2020

"The club would like to thank Markel for his contribution over the past season and wishes him well for the future," City said in a statement.

City were second in the table after 23 matches prior to the coronavirus crisis, eight points behind leaders and defending champions Sydney FC.