Western Sydney Wanderers FC have tonight confirmed the departure of hometown hero Keanu Baccus who leaves the club for an overseas opportunity.
Baccus departs the club after eight years, choosing to take a deal with a European side rather than continuing his journey in Western Sydney.
A product of the Wanderers Academy and Western Sydney region, Baccus has been part of the Red & Black family since 2014 when he signed on to be part of the Youth League side.
During the 2016/17 season, Baccus made his A-Leagues debut in the Round 13 clash against Perth Glory where he joined his older brother Kearyn on the field.
That same season saw Baccus voted by his fellow peers as Youth League Player of the Year at Wanderers Medal 2017.
Baccus built on his appearances for the club the following season before locking in consistent minutes in the club’s midfield.
Five seasons on and Baccus has accumulated over 100 A-Leagues appearances for the club, making him the second-highest capped player of all time behind Mark Bridge.
Baccus won the club’s highest accolade, the Wanderers Medal, on two separate occasions and has become synonymous with what it means to represent the Western Sydney region.
A legend in his own right, Baccus has also spent over 400 hours in the Western Sydney community leaving a lasting footprint on the region.
Western Sydney Wanderers CEO Scott Hudson thanked Baccus for his contribution to the club.
“Having known Keanu since the first day he arrived at the Wanderers, it has been an honour to see him grow from a young boy to a man, at that club that means so much to him,” said Hudson.
“I’d like to thank his family and those closest to him for their never-ending support and their influence in shaping him into a kind, humble and well-spoken representative of our club and the Western Sydney region.
“Keanu will not only be remembered for his contribution on the field, but his efforts off it. No stone was ever left unturned, he always showed up and always went the extra mile for our Western Sydney community.
“He embodied the values that we hold dear to us and has been a fantastic role model for all young players in Western Sydney.
“The door will always been open for Keanu to one day return to the club and we will always be supporting him from afar.”
Keanu said he’s loved every single minute representing his hometown club.
“It’s a little bit sad leaving my hometown, family that I can say I’ve made at this club and all the members and fans that have been great to me. Same as the coaches, the coaching staff and everyone, it’s been great. I’ve loved every minute,” said Baccus.
“There’s been some good moments, some bad moments but that’s football and you’re going to get that.
“I think after the 100 games, it really hit me that this was a special moment in my life and in my career. It capped off my time well towards that back-end of the season.
“Now moving onto my next chapter, it’s going to be good and it’s going to be special.
“I’m always going to be a Wanderer, I’ll always be a Red & Black and the RBB will always be there for me.
“One day in the future, I hope I can watch the young players or maybe even my younger brother come through the ranks and I’ll be out there supporting him.
“I’d like to say thank you very much to the club, the Chairman Paul Lederer, CEO Scott Hudson, all the coaches I’ve worked with, the staff and the players.
“It’s been great to play for this club and I’ve loved every single minute of it.”
