Saiko’s time with FC Edmonton comes to a close By Steven Sandor Posted on October 4, 2013 21 0 3,960 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Shaun Saiko Shaun Saiko’s time with his hometown FC Edmonton side is coming to an end. The club’s all-time leading scorer wasn’t at training at Clarke Stadium Friday. And Eddies’ coach Colin Miller confirmed that supporters won’t be seeing Saiko with the team again. Saiko will finish the season training with the youth side, and won’t be brought back next season. “There were a number of different reasons,” said Miller. “Things didn’t just work out for Shaun here. He won’t be back with us next year and he isn’t going to train with the first team. Shaun Saiko “I wish him well, wherever he will be next season.” Saiko, an NASL First XI selection in 2011, and the team’s leading scorer in both 2011 and 2012, had been relegated to a bench role in the fall season. Saiko has been the face of the club since 2010, when the former Middlesbrough youth player decided to come home and perform for his new hometown professional club. He’s been part of FCE since the team played its campaign of friendlies in 2010. But Miller has proven himself to be anything but a sentimentalist. Before the season began, he made the decision to cut Alberta product, NASL Best XI defender and fan favourite Paul Hamilton. The Canadian centre back has found a new home with the Carolina RailHawks. But Saiko, who was a member of the Canadian U-23 team that tried to qualify for last year’s Olympics, has always been the first player fans think of when they think of FC Edmonton. Saiko declined to comment directly about the situation, but told The 11 that he’s grateful for the support he’s received in his hometown. “The supporters have been nothing but fantastic for me.”
