Hull City forward Richard Garcia open to A-League move, and would be keen on joining Perth Glory

03/05/2012 7:39:00 PM

The former Socceroo is out of contract at Championship outfit Hull City, and would be open to a move to his home-town A-League club

Hull City forward Richard Garcia is open to the idea of returning home to play in the A-League.

The out-of-contract Western Australian, who has called England home for the past 15 years since leaving Perth to join West Ham in 1997, told The West Australian he would love to play for his hometown club.

"I'd love to come back home and play," Garcia said.

"I think it's most players' ambition to play for their home-town club, so if that's an option then you never know. I've just got to keep my mind open.

"The season's just finished so I'm just going to have to wait and see what happens and what options are available to me."

Perth Glory coach Ian Ferguson said Garcia would be a welcome addition to the 2011-12 finalists.

"He's the sort of quality player we'd be very interested in." Ferguson said.

Glory has commenced their cost-cutting measures for next season, releasing Chris Coyne, Todd Howarth, Josh Mitchell and Tommy Amphlett.

But club owner Tony Sage revealed he would be "more than happy" to make a move for the 30-year-old.

Garcia spent most of the season recovering from a knee injury before returning to the Hull starting line-up in December.

He found himself in and out of the team but, through persistence, he was recalled by Hull boss Nicky Barmby for the club's final six Championship games.

"Normally it takes you a good three of four games to get back into it," he said.

"But I was quite surprised because the first game I played I felt really good. I played three games in eight days and I felt comfortable."

Capped by the Socceroos on 14 occasions, Garcia is in need of a new challenge and feels he still has a lot to offer at the top level.

"I'm only 30 so I've still got five or six years in me," he said. "I feel like I'm wiser, I'm fitter and I'm hitting a peak now."

"I've been in the UK for 15 years and I think I need a fresh challenge," he said. "It's about what I want out of my career and what I want out of my life."

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