Transfer windows get fans frothing but there’s nothing like the pride of seeing a youngster come through their own ranks. Presenting some of the players you haven’t heard of, but soon will, as Isuzu UTE A-League squads start to take shape for the upcoming season.
Luis Nani, Charlie Austin, Brandon Borrello, Daniel Arzani. These are just some of the high-profile recruits arriving in the Isuzu UTE A-League from overseas this season, signings which have caught the eye and generated excitement for the season to come.
Then there’s the likes of Miloš Ninković, Reno Piscopo, Brandon O’Neill and Oliver Bozanic, bona fide ALM stars trading allegiances through the off-season, delighting their new fans and aggravating their old ones.
But there’s one other signing category for fans to take note of: the young players stepping up from academies around the league for their first crack in the top flight.
We’ve seen in recent seasons what happens when these players are given opportunities in the Isuzu UTE A-League; the Kuol brothers lit up the Central Coast in consecutive campaigns, with Alou Kuol sealing a European move before Garang Kuol starred in front of an international audience for the A-Leagues All Stars against FC Barcelona in May.
Other role models include Jacob Farrell, Josh Nisbet, Archie Goodwin – not to mention teenage phenomenon Nestory Irankunda – for the next wave of youth players promoted into first team squads to look to for inspiration in 2022-23.
This is the next wave of youngsters aiming to make their mark in the ALM this season.
READ: the complete list of ins and outs at each ALM club
Luka Jovanovic (Adelaide United)
Jovanovic plays as a striker, but can operate in wide areas or in a number 10 role. The 17-year-old has played under Airton Andrioli for the Young Reds in the NPL SA this season, and signs his first senior contract under Adelaide United boss Carl Veart for 2022-23.
Panashe Madanha (Adelaide United)
Playing as a winger – and at times, at right-back for the Young Reds – Madanha has bagged seven goals in nine appearances for Andrioli’s side in 2022.
Arion Sulemani (Melbourne City)
A product of City’s academy, Sulemani has been a key performer in the NPL3 this season. Described as “a power striker possessing elite speed and strength” by the club, Sulemani has scored 12 goals this season at the age of 16. He has some elite Socceroos ahead of him in the pecking order, but that should provide plenty to learn from.
Emin Durakovic (Melbourne City)
Durakovic is the son of South Melbourne and Socceroos great Mehmet Durakovic; his dad was a defender, but Emin plays in midfield – and is looking to break into the Melbourne City first team this season.
The 17-year-old has played behind Sulemani for City’s NPL3 outfit, scoring five goals in 19 appearances this season. He joined the club’s academy at the age of 12, and now gets his first crack in Patrick Kisnorbo’s first team squad in 2022-23.
Adrian Segecic (Sydney FC)
Segecic is a player capable of causing a genuine stir in the ALM this season. The 17-year-old signed a three-year professional deal with the Sky Blues in May as the club looked to beat off the challenge of “a number of European and Australian based clubs” for the highly-talented teenager’s signature.
Segecic joined the club’s academy in its inception year in 2016. He has trained in the academy setups of Liverpool, Manchester City, Leeds, Chelsea, Wolves, Ajax and Rangers, and has represented both Australia and Croatia at youth national team level.
Segecic remains one of Sydney’s key pieces of business ahead of the 2022-23 campaign with just two senior player signed by Steve Corica thus far.
Jake Girdwood-Reich (Sydney FC)
Girdwood-Reich steps into the Sydney FC ALM squad this season having been an academy player at the club since 2016. Formerly of APIA Leichhardt, Sydney Olympic and Scottish club St. Johnstone, the midfielder joined the club after attending one of its academy football school try-outs and has never looked back.
Corey Hollman (Sydney FC)
Corey Hollman was spotted at Manly United by Sydney FC technical youth director Kelly Cross at 12 years of age. Like Girdwood-Reich and Segecic, he’s been in the club’s academy since 2016; the 18-year-old joins Corica’s senior ranks for the first time in 2022-23.
Jaiden Kucharski (Sydney FC)
A highly-rated striker, 19-year-old Kucharski moved through the Sky Blues academy into the first grade to score 18 goals and notch nine assists in the 2022 NPL NSW season.
Kucharski progressed from junior club Glenwood Redbacks, through Blacktown City and the FNSW Institute before finding his way to Sydney FC.
Aaron Gurd (Sydney FC)
Much like Hollman, central defender Aaron Gurd was plucked from Manly United in his teens, joining the Sydney FC academy. Now 20 years of age, Gurd is receiving his first opportunity in the senior squad, signing a one-season contract.
Jake Najdovski (Western United)
The champions have elevated Jake Najdovski onto a two-year scholarship contract ahead of the 2022-23 ALM season. He becomes the first member of Western’s 2022 NPL3 squad to sign on professional terms.
The forward has been involved in first-team training in the past and was an unused substitute in the 2021 Australia Cup Round of 32 against Wellington Phoenix in December.
He joins Rhys Bozinovski, Adisu Bayew, Ben Collins and Ajak Deu as the fifth Western player to receive his first professional contract whilst at the club.
