Sydney FC youngster Hayden Matthews has signed his first professional contract with the Isuzu UTE A-League club.
The talented 19-year-old academy graduate, who made his debut in the 4-0 rout of Newcastle Jets in Round 13, will remain with his boyhood team until the end of the 2026-27 season.
The significant career milestone represents an eight-year journey for Matthews, who is entering his eighth season with the Sky Blues having joined the academy as a 12-year-old.
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“It’s a pretty surreal feeling and a dream come true,” he said.
“It’s something I’ve imagined since I joined the Academy and having been with the club for the past eight years it’s really special.
“I’ve been a Sydney FC supporter as long as I can remember, watching (Alessandro) Del Piero playing at Allianz Stadium and dreaming about being on the pitch one day.
“Making my debut was such a proud moment for me and my family, I really enjoyed being out there and seeing ‘The Cove’ in full voice.
“When I found out I was coming on I think I sprinted over [to the halfway line], I might have hit a new top speed, but I was excited and ready to come on.”
A school captain at Sydney FC’s Academy Football School – Endeavour Sports High – Matthews has won the Football NSW Under-14s Championship (2018) and NPL NSW Men’s U20 Championship (2022) during his time with the club’s academy.
The towering defender also featured on the bench against Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic in the 2022 Sydney Super Cup, while he was also among the substitutes for this season’s Australia Cup fixture versus Central Coast Mariners.
“Hayden is a very good prospect for this club and has a lot of potential,” said head coach Ufuk Talay.
“He is a good defender, who has good composure on the ball and is strong in the air.
“I am delighted we have another prospect who has come all the way through our Academy.”
Sydney FC technical director Kelly Cross added: “I’ve been tracking Hayden since 2016 and after several impressive performances at a primary schools’ tournament I was convinced he had potential.
“He has continued to improve year-by-year, demonstrating a humble and balanced personality.
“Hayden has had a professional attitude since he was 12, which is credit to a strong family environment and parental support; he is a coach’s dream.
“Many of his peers, such as Adrian Segecic and Jake Girdwood-Reich have gained contracts and junior national team selection before him, but he wasn’t disheartened.
“That’s a challenge for many young players, but it’s about focusing on your own development and belief and being patient.
“It’s not a race, and there is no finish line which has been Hayden’s approach, and it has come to fruition.”
