Daniel Penha will depart Western United after one of the great individual seasons in the Club’s history, with the Brazilian opting to play closer to home due to family reasons.
The 25-year-old played the 2023/24 season on loan at Western United from Atletico Mineiro and oozed class throughout the campaign, recording seven goals and three assists in 22 appearances.
Conversations have been ongoing throughout the off-season to extend Penha’s stay, however due to personal reasons he has made the difficult decision to remain closer to Brazil with the Club’s full support.
Penha instantly became a valued member of the Western United family, dazzling equally with his personality off the pitch as he did with his supreme quality on it, earning him a collection of honours at the Club’s awards night.
Speaking at the end of his stint with Western United, Penha said the joy he has had in representing the Green and Black will remain with him forever.
“I would like to say thank you. Thank you to each of you who has always supported me since I arrived at the Club,” he said.
“I was very, very happy last season. I’ve enjoyed every single moment we had together. You showed me unforgettable respect and made me and my wife feel at home in Australia.
“Thank you so much for all of your support. I will never forget you. I hope we can meet again in the future and share more beautiful moments.”
WATCH: Daniel Penha’s heart-warming post-match interview alongside his wife Larissa
Western United General Manager of Football Mal Impiombato said Penha’s effect on the Club would remain in the future and insisted the entire Green and Black family remains behind him.
“As a player and as a person, Daniel has epitomised everything we stand for at Western United and while we have tried our best to keep him at our Club, sometimes there are things bigger than football and we are fully supportive of Daniel’s decision to be closer to his family,” he said.
“His talent on the pitch and his infectious positivity and kindness made him a joy to work with, and the impact he had on everyone at our Club will undoubtedly stick for some time.
“Daniel, Larissa and their family will always be welcome back at Western United and on behalf of everyone in our Green and Black family, I send my very best wishes to them for the future.”
In the wake of Daniel’s departure, Western United will continue to build around an exciting, dynamic squad full of youthful talent, with pre-season preparations for the 2024/25 Isuzu UTE A-League Men season well underway.
Everyone at Western United thanks Daniel for the imprint that he has left on the Club and sends their very best wishes to Daniel and his family.
