Sydney FC Academy prospect Rawley St. John is on the move to Germany, joining historic Bundesliga outfit Stuttgart.
On the back of Sydney FC Under-20 Academy goalkeeper Max Vartuli’s two-year loan deal with four-time Danish champions AaB Aalborg, St. John has signed a two-year contract with Stuttgart.
The 18-year-old attacking midfielder impressed during his trial at the five-time German champions, who also have former Central Coast Mariners sensation and Olyroos forward Alou Kuol on their books.
Kuol swapped the Mariners in the Isuzu UTE A-League for Stuttgart in 2021 and the 21-year-old made his debut for the first team in January this year.
“I feel extremely grateful and proud to have this opportunity and I am very excited to start,” St.John said via Sydney FC after four years with the Sky Blues Academy.
“The pathway at Stuttgart is fantastic, it’s one of the best in Europe which is why I think it is great for me.
“I’m also very thankful to the Sydney FC Academy for the past four years and their help in developing my game.
“The training and the environment is wonderful and without it I may never have got this chance.”
St. John previously trialled with Bundesliga powerhouse Borussia Dortmund and English club Watford as a 13-year-old.
“It is great to see the club’s strategy of helping young footballers achieve a significant pathway into the professional game paying dividends with Rawley following the departure of Max yesterday, and we are optimistic that other players will follow,” said Sydney’s head of player management Alex Baumjohann, who played in the Bundesliga.
“It’s a great opportunity for Rawley and this is the type of opportunity we want to give all of our Academy players, a chance to play professional football either at home or abroad.
“If aspiring footballers are looking for opportunities in the professional game then Sydney FC is proud to be able to assist them.
“I know how much Rawley has impressed the staff at Stuttgart with his ability and attitude and we are very optimistic he can have a great career over there.”
St. John is not the only Australian youngster to swap Australia for Germany this off-season.
