Melbourne Victory have promoted young goalkeeper Sebastian Mattei to their senior list, earning the shot-stopper his first Hyundai A-League contract.
Mattei was the keeper for the Victory’s National Youth League team and has been promoted after the recent departures of Glen Moss and Mitchell Langerak to Gold Coast United and Borussia Dortmund respectively.
Mattei, 19, has impressed this season in the Victorian Premier League for the Melbourne Knights and will be new signing Michael Petkovic’s understudy at the Victory.
“I’ve always dreamt of being a professional footballer and now I can say that I am – although it hasn’t really sunk in yet. But I’m sure it will when we run out against Sydney FC next weekend,” Mattei said.
Langerak progressed through the youth ranks at Victory before earning a contract and taking all before him in the 2009-10 Hyundai A-League season, with a string of stellar performances earning him a move to the Bundesliga.
“Having seen first-hand how hard Mitch Langerak worked last season and just how much he achieved, I’m really looking forward to taking this opportunity with both hands,” Mattei said when quizzed about Langerak.
Mattei will wear the No.20 at Victory and is expected to be in the squad to take on Sydney FC in the season opener on August 7 at the Sydney Football Stadium.
