Traore to quit A-League for Europe

Melbourne: Defender Adama Traore has rejected a contract offer from Melbourne Victory to pursue a playing opportunity in Europe next season, the A-League club said on Monday.

Traore, 24, has had two impressive seasons and 48 games with Melbourne Victory but has opted against extending his stay, the club said. Victory coach Kevin Muscat said the club had done all it could to retain Traore`s services, but he had decided to make the move overseas to an undisclosed club. "Adama has been an important part of our defensive unit for the past two seasons and everyone at Victory was certainly keen to see him remain at the club, but despite our best efforts, that won`t be the case," Muscat said. Traore, from Ivory Coast, took out Australian citizenship a month ago. "I have loved every minute that I have been at Melbourne Victory," Traore said. "While I would like to have stayed at the club next season, the opportunity to play in Europe is too good for me to pass up."