NEWPORT County AFC manager Michael Flynn has revealed that Lazar Stojsavljevic “tore up” his contract to return home to Serbia and that the defender’s departure has cost the club nothing.
County announced on Tuesday, the day after the League Two transfer window closed, that Stojsavljevic’s contract had been terminated by mutual agreement.
The 21-year-old centre back signed a two-year deal with the Exiles in the summer after being released by Championship side Millwall.
At the time, Flynn said: "Lazar has had a good grounding at Millwall where they are used to playing proper football.
“He's an aggressive defender, 6ft 3ins, left footer, who is going to bring a lot of good competition for places and balance to the squad."
But Stojsavljevic made just one appearance for the club in a competitive game.
He started the Carabao Cup first-round tie at Gillingham last month and he was taken off after just 29 minutes with Flynn's men 1-0 down. They went on to draw 2-2 and win the tie on penalties.
A brief statement from the club on Tuesday ended: "The club wishes Lazar well in his future career."
Speaking after last night’s Leasing.com Trophy defeat to West Ham United under-21s, Flynn was happy to explain the decision.
“Lazar was down the pecking order, he wanted to play games and he had an opportunity to go back home to Serbia,” said the manager.
“I couldn’t stand in his way. There was no falling out and there’s no big pay-up.
“He actually decided to tear up his contract in order to get the move through and I wish him good luck.
“Sometimes in life you’ve got to put your family first and he’s got an opportunity to play in his home town, which I think was a big pull for him.”
Stojsavljevic and fellow defender Marvel Ekpiteta were both signed in June when Flynn feared that Mickey Demetriou could reject a new deal.
“In all honesty, I wouldn’t have signed both him and Marvel if things didn’t go the way they did in the summer with Mickey,” he admitted.
“So there was always going to be a few of them unhappy at not playing.
“But it’s not cost us anything, apart from the wages since he’s been here.
“It’s an opportunity for him to go back home and, fair play to Lazar, he wanted to go and play. I think that’s commendable.”
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