Mathew Leckie with Adelaide United coach Rini Coolen at yesterday's Hindmarsh Stadium training session. Picture: Ray Titus Source: The Advertiser
MATHEW Leckie says his last appearance at Hindmarsh Stadium in an Adelaide United shirt might be teary.
Only an unlikely failed medical will enable him to continue his Reds career - otherwise Leckie will be Germany-bound once Adelaide's season is done.
The A-League's hottest young property will likely bid his favourite turf and fans farewell regardless of the elimination final result against Gold Coast United on Sunday afternoon.
"I think it will be very emotional for me," Leckie said. "We've got a great club, a great bunch of boys and we're like a big family, we're all as one - there's no individual groups.
"It's going to be a sad day when I do leave and this game against the Gold Coast will be my last home game and the crowd has been great ever since I've come here."
All that's halting Leckie from taking up his new contract with Borussia Moenchengladbach is the official paperwork from the club's medicos.
From the moment Leckie made his Adelaide debut in 2009 against Melbourne Victory off the bench, the speed gun, who turned 20 on February 4, became an instant hit.
He developed into an excitement machine from whom Adelaide won't gain a transfer cent. The club wasn't able to offer the attacker a lucrative extended term due to salary cap restrictions and being in the hands of interim custodians Football Federation Australia before the new Reds consortium moved in.
Adelaide and the FFA have potentially lost a $1.35 million transfer sale.
"Adelaide United sort of signed me as a last-minute thing in 2009," Leckie said.
"But now Adelaide United is the major reason why I'm off to Germany. I took the opportunity when I got it, but Adelaide gave me the opportunity. Who knows, maybe I would have never played A-League if (the Reds) didn't come in."
However Leckie revealed that his return from a 14-week knee injury lay-off after the Victory's Surat Sukha's reckless tackle at times played on his mind.
Since Leckie's cameo comeback as a substitute during Adelaide's 8-1 win over North Queensland Fury at Hindmarsh last month, the speedster has been battling trepidation.
"I did have something about the injury in the back of my head," Leckie said.
Sunday's clash is just 2000 tickets short of a sell-out.
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