You won’t see new Adelaide United recruit Archie Goodwin backflipping his way around Coopers Stadium – but the club’s star teenage recruit has pledged to excite his new fans all the same.
The 19-year-old joined the Reds from Newcastle Jets on a four-year deal; a highly-rated young Australian striker, Goodwin’s first four seasons in the Isuzu UTE A-League have been severely impacted by injuries but the teenager is determined to showcase the best of his abilities at his new club.
Goodwin’s arrival in Adelaide coincided with the departure of fellow teenage talent Nestory Irankunda who joined German giants Bayern Munich after three blistering seasons in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
In his first interview since joining the Reds, Goodwin delivered a message to the Adelaide fans:
“I’m really excited to meet you all,” he said. “I’m keen to score a lot of goals in front of you.
“I might not be able to do flips, but I’ll give you a good watch!”
A move to the Reds provides the Young Socceroo the chance to develop at a club with a stellar track record for blooding emerging talent in the first-team squad.
Head coach Carl Veart has overseen the club’s youth strategy, with Irankunda’s three-year transition from 15-year-old Isuzu UTE A-League debutant to Bayern-bound superstar the shining example of a program that has seen the likes of Jonny Yull, Panashe Madanha, Luka Jovanovic, Ethan Alagich, Alexandar Popovic, Joe Gauci and Mohamed Toure flourish into important senior squad members at a young age.
Goodwin says the club’s track record for developing young players was a key factor in his decision to leave the Jets.
“I just think the opportunities the club has given young players in the last few years, it was a really big decision for me to make to come here,” Goodwin said.
“I think it’s the best thing to step out of my comfort zone and really take a step away from my hometown. I believe I can get the best out of myself playing at Adelaide United.”
“The stadium, as an away player the last few years I think everyone says it when they come to Adelaide: it’s probably one of the hardest places to play away,” he added.
“You’ve got the home fans of Adelaide United who really care about the club and the football. It’s really good to know because I will put my best foot forward to really make the most of every time I step out on that pitch, and just really impress and change games.”
When asked to describe himself as a player, Goodwin replied: “I’m young, exciting, just keen to really change a game. I’m a striker, I want to score goals, that’s my main priority and just help my teammates on and off the pitch, whether (that be) in a leadership role as well.
“I’m really good at helping younger players develop as well off the pitch, and on the pitch. I think I’m a really quick, in-behind nine that’s physically capable as well. I’m really excited to show Adelaide fans what I can do.”
Goodwin’s four-year contract is a statement of intent from both the club and player.
On the club side, it’s a show of faith in the untold potential of a player who has been impacted by a string of serious injuries through his teens. Goodwin has scored seven Isuzu UTE A-League goals in little over 1,100 match minutes in the league to date; should Veart and the Adelaide coaching staff manage to get his body right, the statistics paint an encouraging picture of what Goodwin could produce with a significant rise in match minutes.
For Goodwin, the long-term deal shows he’s committed to developing his craft at the club for the long-term – although a move to Europe is the ultimate goal for the teenager who could net Adelaide a significant transfer fee if a move abroad does eventuate prior to the end of the four-year contract.
“I see myself in Europe,” Goodwin said.
“I’ve always had the dream to get overseas and play at a top club over there. I really think playing at Adelaide United is going to give me that pathway to get there.
“Four years is obviously a long time. I’ve still got a lot to develop on, just like everyone. But yeah, they’re just things to improve on. I don’t see them as weaknesses. I’m just going to really put my best foot forward and work as hard as I can to be the best player I can be.”
PLAYER VOTE: Adelaide’s Coopers Stadium one of two 2023-24 Isuzu UTE A-League Stadiums of the Season
