Goalkeeper Wang Fei has seen her contract at Olympique Lyonnais terminated by mutual consent.
After making just three appearances in the first half of the current season, the China international has left the club, despite only signing for them in the summer.
One of three goalkeepers in the squad, however, her services have been deemed surplus to requirements after Sarah Bouhaddi returned from injury - her and Meline Gérard being identified as the first and second choice ‘keepers in Lyon.
Disappointing end to promising move
Fei’s release is certainly a shame, with many sure to argue that she never really got a fair chance with the French giants.
The 25-year-old made just two appearances in the Division 1 Feminine, as well as also playing once in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, conceding only one goal in total.
However, despite Bouhaddi’s error-prone ways, it is the Frenchwoman who has been chosen to challenge Gérard for a spot in between the sticks, not Fei.
This will come as a big blow to the Chinese ‘keeper too, who looked set to take up a prominent role in one of Europe’s biggest and best teams when she earned a move from 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam in the summer, having played a key role in a successful 2014-15 season that saw them reach the DFB Pokal final.
Where next?
Reports say that the ‘keeper has returned home to China after her release, with her next destination unknown.
With just a few months remaining in the game’s winter leagues, a move to a summer league seems her best bet, with America’s NWSL, England’s FAWSL, Norway’s Toppserien and Sweden’s Damallsvenskan all kicking off in either March or April.
Boasting a wealth of experience at both international and European level, Fei would be a valuable edition to any of the game’s top sides, and is sure to land herself a great chance to return to football sooner, rather than later.