Zak Butters asks Port Adelaide to release him as a free agent
Port Adelaide midfielder Zak Butters has asked to leave the team as a restricted free agent, as he plans to return to the state of Victoria. The 25-year-old footballer said he had thought long and hard about the decision and wanted to be closer to family and friends.
As ABC News Australia reports, Butters thanked Port Adelaide for his time at the club that drafted him, as well as the fans for their support from the beginning of his career. He said he would always consider himself a Port Adelaide person and would value what the club had done for him.
Port Adelaide's position
Port Adelaide confirmed that Butters and his representatives had informed the club of his intention to exercise his restricted free agency rights and consider a return to Victoria. In a statement, the club said it would work to fulfil the player's request while seeking to secure the best outcome for the team.
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Butters made his Port Adelaide debut in 2019. He won the John Cahill Medal three times as the club's best player and was selected in the All-Australian team twice.
Season and possible move
Butters played 17 matches this season, but a syndesmosis injury in round 18 ended his campaign early. ABC Sport previously reported that the footballer had informed several teammates as early as July of his intention to move to Victoria, although the club denied this at the time.
During the season, reports emerged of potential offers for Butters worth up to A$18 million over eight years from Richmond, Geelong, Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs. Port Adelaide had previously said it was prepared to match any offer for the player and pursue a trade in order to maximise its draft capital.
