Melbourne City youngster Harry Shillington has signed his first professional contract in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
The talented 19-year-old full-back and Young Socceroo – who can also play centre-back – is locked in for the 2024-25 season, with an option to extend for a further year.
It caps an incredible journey for City’s latest Academy graduate, who joined the club as a 12-year-old in 2017 and was a ball boy for the club in an Isuzu UTE A-League fixture the following year.
Shillington made his senior debut in last season’s Australia Cup quarter-final win over MetroStars.
In fact, a young Shillington actually high-fived Lachlan Wales after he scored his first senior goal on that day in 2018 as commentator Brenton Speed said: “A high five with the ball boy, who will never forget that moment, perhaps a Melbourne City player of the future!”
That on-air prophecy has now become a reality.
“It’s an absolutely surreal feeling to sign for such an amazing club. A real dream come true,” Shillington said.
“I’ve been working towards this moment for a long time, but this is only just the very beginning. I know that I’ll need to work harder than ever before to continue to develop and earn minutes with the first-team.
“I’m driven to become the best footballer I can be and truly believe that being part of Melbourne City is the best way to achieve that.
“I love this club and am determined to leave my mark here at City and do everything I can to help bring more success.”
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Shillington joins fellow Academy graduate Medin Memeti in being promoted to City’s A-League side heading into 2024-25.
“We are strong in the belief that we have the best Academy in Australia and the talent we’ve
seen come through over the last five years clearly demonstrates this,” said City’s director of football Michael Petrillo.
“Harry has been in our system for a long time. He has strong defensive qualities and is someone we have seen improve year after year thanks to his professional approach and drive to succeed.
“He has all the tools to perform in a first-team environment and I look forward to seeing him take his opportunity this season.”
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Senior academy manager Simon Zappia added: “Harry has been a fantastic role model for his peers.
“His dedication to improve has been evident with not only the intensity he brings to every training session but also the way he embraces the resources off the pitch with gym, recovery and analysis.
“I’m ecstatic Harry has earnt this opportunity and am looking forward to him having a big impact with the A-League squad this season.”
