Signing news: Young defender boosts Western United FC’s roster

A young defender from the Queensland NPL has joined Western United FC for the remainder of the Hyundai A-League 2019/20 Season.

Dillon, who has been playing with the Gold Coast Knights, is a versatile player who is equally comfortable in defence or as a deep-lying midfielder.

The 20-year-old will add some much-needed depth in the defensive area for coach Mark Rudan, following the departure of Connor Chapman and the serious knee injury suffered by Brendan Hamill.

“It hasn’t really sunk in yet,” Dillon told United’s official website.

“There are a lot of experienced boys in the team to learn from them and hopefully if I get an opportunity, I’ll try to make the most of it.”

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Coffs-Harbour raised Dillon was a former winner of Football Queensland’s Young Player of the Year and also played youth football with Brisbane Roar and the Queensland Academy of Sport.

He has spent the last two months during the NPL off-season training at the highest intensity possible with former NSL player Adem Poric before he got his chance with United.

The defender has been on Rudan’s radar for a while after he trained with Wellington Phoenix during their Gold Coast camps last year.

“It’s crazy. You watch a lot of the players in my team on TV these last few years and now I’m training with them,” Dillon said.

“It doesn’t feel real. But they’re all really nice guys, they’re not stuck up. They’ve been really welcoming.

“And these training facilities. I’m not used to that! They’re unreal. Even just having lunch and breakfast together. It’s all new to me, but I like it.”

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