Football
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Melbourne Victory star Marco Rojas set for Heerenveen medical

Melbourne Victory are resigned to losing a fifth member of their A-League grand final team, with Marco Rojas bound for Europe.

The New Zealand winger is heading to the Netherlands for a medical with Heerenveen.

A deal is yet to be concluded but the Dutch Eredivisie club's interest is serious, and the Kiwi is expected to sign in the coming days.

The move will be Rojas' second attempt to crack a major European league after a failed stint with German club Stuttgart followed his first spell with Victory.

Rojas said he couldn't thank the Victory enough for "getting my career back on track" but the lure of European football was strong.

"They showed great faith in me after a difficult few years in Europe ... I would absolutely have no hesitation returning to Melbourne Victory in the future," he said.

"The club is very important to me and has been nothing but professional during both my spells in Melbourne.

"But right now I'm focused on proving myself at the top level and I'm excited to be heading back to Europe."

As Rojas was contracted to the Victory for another season, the A-League heavyweights will pocket a decent fee for the 25-year-old.

Although coach Kevin Muscat would have preferred to have retained the fan favourite, given the exodus from his squad.

Three senior players from his Grand Final XI have already found new A-League homes; Alan Baro (Central Coast), Daniel Georgievski (Newcastle) and Fahid Ben Khalfallah (Brisbane).

A fourth, James Troisi, left the club at the end of his contract and could yet sign for crosstown rivals Melbourne City.

Another two that sat on the bench -- Nick Ansell and Rashid Mahazi -- have also departed, along with young talent George Howard.

Muscat has recruited three players to help the gap -- Rhys Williams and returning pair Thomas Deng and Kosta Barbarouses.

"We want to assure our members and fans that we've tried very, very hard to keep Marco at Melbourne Victory," Muscat said.

"Ultimately it was something he felt compelled to pursue and we can't begrudge him that.

"Marco is a pleasure to coach, and, while we'll be sad if he goes, we understand his decision and wish him well."

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