- Hoping to get a trade back to Melbourne to re-unite with his girlfriend
Ivan Soldo’s bid to be reunited with his glamorous girlfriend has hit a major snag, with the AFL’s most controversial commentator delivering a scathing warning to any clubs looking to sign him.
The ruckman remains contracted with Port Adelaide until the end of 2026, but several Victorian teams are reportedly interested in luring him home.
It comes after his girlfriend Chelsea Ivy, known as footy’s hottest WAG, moved back to Melbourne earlier this year.
She has set herself up in a stunning South Yarra home while Soldo toiled in Adelaide, with the former Richmond star desperate to come home to be with his partner.
The 29-year-old joined the Power before the 2024 season, yet injuries and form struggles have limited him to just nine games across two years – only one of those coming in 2025.
Footy reporter Tom Morris has reported there is plenty of interest in the premiership-winning ruck as well.
Ivan Soldo and Chelsea Ivy (pictured together) are one of the AFL’s glamour couples
Soldo’s rollercoaster of a career has forced the couple to spend long periods of time apart from each other
‘Victorian clubs looking for ruck depth believe Ivan Soldo is again a trade option this year,’ Morris posted.
‘Soldo has one year remaining on his deal at Port and was largely injury-free throughout 2025.
‘The ruck was keen to get to St Kilda in 2024, it didn’t work out, but he’s open to any Vic club now.’
While Soldo might be keen, and there might be some parties willing to entertain a budget-priced premiership-winner, one leading voice has warned against the move.
Polarising footy commentator Kane Cornes has seen enough of Soldo at Port Adelaide to declare him a major risk other clubs would be mad to take a punt on.
‘I would be a big no on Ivan Soldo,’ the Port Adelaide premiership player said.
‘I wouldn’t touch him if I am another club.
‘He has been the worst recruit Port Adelaide have ever had. If you’re a team looking at him, do not get seduced.’
Chelsea has moved back to a trendy flat in inner-city Melbourne after previously saying she did not like living in Adelaide
Soldo is at a career crossroads and is looking for a trade back to Melbourne to be with his partner again
That could spell bad news for Soldo and Chelsea, who started dating while he was playing for Richmond. He was traded to Port Adelaide in late 2023, forcing the couple to relocate.
Chelsea took to Instagram in May 2024 to reveal her real feelings about living in the City of Churches as she announced she was moving to Dubai to start a new life working for an airline.
‘He [Soldo] had to move to Adelaide for his career and tbh it’s been a struggle for me,’ she wrote.
‘It [living in Adelaide] is just not for me permanently,’ she added, followed by a black heart emoji.
‘Temporarily it’s fine. But long term in aus I think Melbourne or Gold Coast are for me… maybe even Syd.’
During her time overseas, Soldo remained in Adelaide to continue his AFL career with the Power, and speculation grew about tension in their relationship because of the long-distance situation.
However, Becirevic returned to him after she found she ‘hated’ being in a long-term relationship and found she ‘missed Australia so much’.
‘I was super homesick and found the job super isolating,’ she told her Instagram followers.
