- Ivan Soldo fires back at critics over trade rumors
- Currently outsourced to Port Adelaide
The ‘fed up’ AFL star boyfriend of Australia’s most popular WAG has hit out at his critics after plans to trade him to a Melbourne team fell through.
Port Adelaide ruck Ivan Soldo was probed by St Kilda during the AFL draft period, which ends on Wednesday.
That will have been music to the ears of his partner Chelsea Becirevic, who had previously said Adelaide had “been a struggle for me” and that she could not see herself living there permanently.
The influencer, who had followed Soldo from Richmond to the Power, even left Adelaide without her partner to work for an airline in Dubai.
There appeared to be light at the end of the tunnel for Becirevic as the Saints became interested in Soldo as a back-up to take on Rowan Marshall before 2025 and a return to Melbourne seemed imminent.
However, Nine’s Tom Morris reported that the deal is off, with the Saints pulling out of the deal and abandoning the big man.
Soldo, who did not attend the club’s best and fairest awards ceremony, has been criticized by AFL greats Nathan Buckley and Kane Cornes over ‘character’ issues following the saga – and now Soldo has lashed out in response.
“I’m honestly fed up with this ridiculous story that just won’t stop circulating,” he posted on Instagram.
Port Adelaide ruckman Ivan Soldo has hit back at critics and trolls attacking his partner online
In a post on social media, Soldo said he has no plans to leave Port Adelaide
“Let’s clear some things up: the ONLY reason I didn’t attend PAFC in the best and fairest way possible was because I was the best man on the same night as my best friend’s wedding. In which the club fully supported me to attend. If that reflects poorly on my character, then our Kane values clearly don’t match.
“As far as trading goes, this happens every year and it’s just unrelated to the work. I still have a contract with Port and have no intention of leaving.
‘The bullying and hatred towards my partner must also stop, this backwards story is getting old.’
Soldo’s statement came as Power boss Chris Davies told AFL Trade Radio the player had been cleared to attend the wedding and would likely remain in Port Adelaide.
“I don’t think Ivan has settled in Adelaide the way he would have liked and perhaps the way we would have liked, and we have a role to play in that,” Davies said.
Chelsea Becirevic told supporters she was struggling in Adelaide before Soldo was involved in potential move to St Kilda – but that now appears to have fallen through
Soldo (pictured with Becirevic) is confident he will serve out the remainder of his contract with the Power
‘We have to try to help him settle into the city a bit more and if that doesn’t work we will probably be in this situation again next year.
“Unless something happens today he will come back to our club and fight for a ruck spot.
“I think he’ll probably stay.”
It now appears Soldo will serve out the remainder of his contract at Port Adelaide, which expires in 2026.