Brisbane Roar have signed Olyroos midfielder Keegan Jelacic on loan from Belgian Pro League club K.A.A Gent for the remainder of the 2023-24 Isuzu UTE A-League season.
Jelacic, 21, returns to the club that gave him his professional debut in 2021; it’s his second loan away from Gent for the 2023-24 season, following a stint at Norwegian club Stabæk Fotball.
The creative midfielder last appeared in the Isuzu UTE A-League through a breakout 2022-23 campaign at Perth Glory; Jelacic earned his move to Gent – and an Olyroos call-up – off the back of 22 league appearances for Perth, scoring two goals and notching four assists.
Jelacic says his return to Brisbane was inspired by the chance to work with new Roar head coach Ben Cahn – Jelacic’s former coach at NPL Queensland club Olympic FC.
But as well as reuniting with Cahn, Jelacic hopes to enhance his odds of featuring in the backend of Australia’s Olympic qualification campaign, and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games should Australia qualify for the tournament.
“It’s good to be back, I know a few of the boys so it’s good to see some familiar faces. There’s no place like home to be honest,” Jelacic said.
“Ben (Cahn) being here was big for me, I was with Ben at Olympic and I know he has great confidence in me as a player, wants to play exciting, attacking football and lets me shine on the pitch.
“A big aim for me is to make the Olympic squad, so I want to have a big season and help the team get as many points as possible and push into the top six.”
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