Melbourne City teenager Ben Mazzeo has signed his first senior contract with the three-time reigning Isuzu UTE A-League premiers.
A graduate of the City Academy, the 18-year-old winger has penned a deal until the end of the 2025-26 season, with a trigger to extend for a further year.
Mazzeo, who joined the club’s academy in 2018, made his senior debut in an AFC Champions League fixture in November before capping his A-Leagues bow with a goal in the win over Newcastle Jets in December.
He has two goals in eight senior appearances for City.
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“Ben is another product of our Academy system who has been with us for several years, but his development was delayed slightly due to some injuries in the last couple of seasons,” said City’s director of football Michael Petrillo.
“Since he has come back from those setbacks, Ben has been an outstanding contributor at training and has impressed whenever he has been called upon.
“He is blessed with pace and good technical ability; however, it is his attitude to every aspect of football that has set him apart and is a major reason why we see him as an outstanding prospect, and why he has been granted his first professional contract.”
City visit in-form defending champions Central Coast Mariners on Sunday – a Grand Final rematch.
Aurelio Vidmar’s City are sixth in the standings through 12 games.
Mazzeo added: “I’m thrilled to have been offered the opportunity to play for the club I grew up supporting.
“This is a significant milestone in my journey and marks the beginning of a new chapter for me with the opportunity to continue to grow as a player. I am so grateful that my passion has now become my career.
“The professional environment throughout the Academy has played a vital role in getting me to where I am today. It has been a privilege to grow as a player in the best academy in Australia and I’m really excited to take this step and represent the club at a professional level.”
