Birbraer arrives as Finucci departs: How Twitter reacted

Seismic shifts could be felt in the Swindon Wildcats' camp this week, as fans' favourite Carlo Finucci departed the club, before a household EPL name Max Birbraer arrived as the latest roster addition. We took a look at how the movements went down on social media platform Twitter.

Canadian-Italian forward Finucci was widely expected to extend his tenure at the Link, after dazzling fans with his 2015/16 season heroics. 

But this week head coach Aaron Nell admitted he had to make the difficult decision not to include Finucci in plans going forward, as the skilful attacker did not fit the club model going forward.

As Cats fans began to discuss Finucci's departure, the Wildcats played their trump card and officially unveiled their latest important acquisition - former Cardiff Devils and Telford Tigers man Max Birbraer, known for both his offensive play and dominance upon the ice.

As the news began to circulate, we took a look at the opinions of fans across Twitter:

@nucci39 someone's upset, be missed big time Carlo!! Grazie molto! forza finucci ??????????@SwinWildcats #UpsetLeilo pic.twitter.com/4mlgUkqh7o

— Si (@SimonBellamy82) May 24, 2016

If you can upgrade, you should but Finucci when fit was the business. Did much more for Swindon than Ryhänen and Zalesak combined

— Anthony Russell (@84arussell) May 24, 2016

Aaron Nell must think he has an ace up his sleeve to replace Finucci, a decent player who actively said "I want to come back"

— Anthony Russell (@84arussell) May 24, 2016

Im going to stay following @nucci39 as he is a stunning player & genuinely lovely guy! Good luck with all your future teams! X

— Faithangeljoy (@Faithangeljoy) May 24, 2016

Gutted that @nucci39 won't be back in Swindon next year. Had some great memories in such a short time. Good luck in the future bro ????????????

— rico (@rics_richards) May 24, 2016

I'm gutted @nucci39 was not given the chance to renew his contract for the Wildcats. I'll miss you Carlo, and miss sponsoring those gloves!

— Chris Walker (@MrChrisWalker) May 24, 2016

All the very best to @nucci39 so gutted to see you go from the cats! Best of luck buddy and thanks for the memories!

— steve gleed (@steveeg93) May 24, 2016

@nucci39 Thanks for your efforts for the Wildcats last season, and good luck for next season, wherever you play, Carlo

— Jeff Povey (@jeffpovey) May 24, 2016

Plenty of sadness surrounding the departure of Finucci. But then the club announced the signing of Birbraer..

Really happy Cats fan today. We've got a very good signing in @Birbraer23 - welcome to Swindon Max, see you in September #boomboom

— Ben Callaghan (@bcallaghan89) May 25, 2016

That's great news @SwinWildcats good luck @Birbraer23 #BoomBoom

— Jon Jones (@Batraven) May 25, 2016

Great signing for @SwinWildcats in @Birbraer23 -
All around top guy & great hockey player ????

— Daniel (@Dansymo99) May 25, 2016

Seen as I have been a work for 9 days and haven't really read any hockey news, to say I am pretty sad to see @Birbraer23 leave tigers ??????

— Gem (@gemski_87) May 25, 2016

Welcome to the @SwinWildcats @Birbraer23 great signing well done @aaronned19 #isitseptemberyet

— Sammy (@sammywilson87) May 25, 2016

Tomasz Malasinski AND @Birbraer23? You lucky, lucky @SwinWildcats fans...

— Paul Sullivan (@SullyDevil) May 25, 2016

Tigers say goodbye to Max Birbraer https://t.co/sXlmfAojNV #Shropshire pic.twitter.com/JDqljBuFXh

— SHROPSHIRE (@DailySHROPSHIRE) May 24, 2016