There is a new international star in town and he is ready to lead Perth Glory back up the Isuzu UTE A-League standings.
Enter, Tom Lawrence.
There was strong talk of a move to hometown club Wrexham – the EFL Championship outfit that have gained worldwide attention under the ownership of Hollywood duo Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The likes of Burnley, Coventry City, West Brom, Middlesbrough and Blackburn Rovers were also reportedly interested after Lawrence departed Scottish giants Rangers in May. Overseas clubs Olympiacos, PAOK and Besiktas were linked too.
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But the 31-year-old forward finds himself based at HBF Park in Western Australia.
“It was a little bit of a random one,” Lawrence explained. “Had a call with (Glory football director) Stan (Lazaridis) and the manager (David Zdrilic). Listened to their passion for the club. Where they want to go.
“That’s really what settled it in the end. It literally took me 24 hours after that call to make a decision and we got things moving.”
You just have to look at Lawrence’s CV to get a quick idea of what he brings to Perth.
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This is a 23-time Wales international who started his career at global powerhouse Manchester United, emerging from the juggernaut’s academy during Sir Alex Ferguson’s iconic 26-season rein at Old Trafford.
Lawrence was handed his debut by Manchester United, Premier League and Welsh legend Ryan Giggs in 2014. He was earmarked to become the next Ryan Giggs.
It was to be Lawrence’s one and only senior appearance for the Red Devils. But is an experience that is not lost on the experienced winger.
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“I was at United from the age of seven until I was 20,” he told The Sun. “So the amount of figures that helped me out along the way, I couldn’t name them all.
“What I will say is that you looked up to those who were in the first team at the time, the likes of Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes. Coaching-wise Paul McGuinness and Warren Joyce helped me massively.
“I am really thankful to them all. There were role models everywhere. It was just all about standards, it makes you have those standards from such a young age.”
Lawrence added: “Sir Alex Ferguson was one for big standards and you couldn’t mess up. That grounding never leaves you. When you grow up hearing that you just get used to doing the same high level standard stuff every day. It’s instilled in you.”
While Lawrence moved on from United, he has starred elsewhere.
After loan stints at Carlisle United and Yeovil Town during his Red Devils career, further temporary spells via Rotherham United, Blackburn Rovers and Cardiff City followed after joining Leicester City in 2014. But following an impressive loan move to Ipswich Town in 2016-17, Lawrence moved to Derby County.
It is at Pride Park where the Welshman came into his own over five years.
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Lawrence scored 37 goals in 185 appearances across all competitions for Derby in the EFL Championship, where he went on to captain the Rams while he was also coached by England greats Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney. In the league, he tallied 35 goals and 25 assists.
Then, after Derby’s relegation to England’s third tier, he was snapped up by Scottish powerhouse Rangers in 2022.
It was at the time when A-Leagues legend Ange Postecoglou was enjoying great success at Glasgow rivals Celtic.
Still, Lawrence impressed at Ibrox Stadium, where he was initially coached by former Netherlands international Giovanni van Bronkhorst.
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He scored twice in the UEFA Europa League and was part of the Rangers squad which reached four Scottish FA Cup and League Cup Finals.
Now, Lawrence is linking up with fellow Manchester United academy graduate Scott Wootton in Perth.
“Scotty was very complimentary about Perth as a city. He just said get here as soon as you can. You’ll love it,” he said.
“People here at the club really want to make things work and we want to win things here.”
As Perth prepare for Round 1 against Wellington Phoenix, Lawrence is looking to help the Glory soar to unprecedented areas in the Isuzu UTE A-League – a Championship title.
While the Glory won the 2018-19 Premiership, they have never got their hands on a Championship, having lost Grand Finals in 2012 and 2019.
“I’ve come here to score as many goals, as many assists to help the team as much as I can,” said Lawrence.
“I want to be as high as I can with the team. We will go for whatever we can this season.”
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