Central Coast Mariners winning A-League Championship in May 2023, Image by CODE Sports
The local professional Australian soccer league plays host to extreme young talent across the season. The A-League has built a reputation in the last few years for clubs aiming at signing young talent for their squads. Below is a list of some of the future stars to look out for this season and who could potentially be in Olyroos and Socceroos squad contentions.
Nestory Irankunda
The 17-year-old burst onto the Adelaide United team in 2021 after staring in the South Australian NPL. The winger has gained national recognition across the country for his performances, earning himself a senior national team call up for Australia. His performances have earned him transfer links to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.
Kai Trewin
A mainstay utility across the Brisbane Roar defense and midfield. Trewin has become one of the few young stars in the A-League playing consistently since his debut in 2020. His reliability, leadership and endurance has been some of the key traits as to why he is become vital to Brisbane. The 22-year-old will be one to keep an eye on if it earns him a call up for the 2024 AFC Under-23 Asian Cup.
Jacob Farrell
The left-back turned Centre-back has become a warrior at the back for the Central Coast after their title winning championship season in the A-League last year. After making his debut in 2020, Farrell has continued his success becoming a young leader for Mariners in the AFC Cup this season, with 2 goals in 3 appearances.
Ryan Teague
The former Sydney FC youth midfielder has had limited senior minutes in recent years after signing for second-division Portuguese side CD Mafra in 2020. Although failing to break into the Mafra senior side, Teague has become a reliable member of the Australian under-23 team playing key roles in big tournaments. He finds himself back in the A-League this season hoping for senior minutes at one of the biggest clubs in Melbourne Victory.
Cameron Cook
The young goalkeeper from Adelaide impressed at Perth Glory last year locking down the No. 1 Goalkeeper role notching 3 clean sheets from 17 appearances. After debuting in 2021, Cook has become the best young goalkeepers in the country and will be important for the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup if he continues to play consistently.
Jake Girdwood-Reich
After debuting at Sydney FC last season as the club reached finals once again after a disappointing 2020-21 campaign. The 18-year-old will be looking to build on performances last season as he aims for more minutes under Steve Corica. With the recent success in starting and winning the 2023 Australia Cup Final, Girdwood-Reich could have a breakout year.
Callum Talbot
Born in Malta, The Olyroo has become one of the best young talented players in the league. The Melbourne City right-back and captain of the Australian under-23 national team was important in City’s charge for the A-Leagues Premiers Plate last season, adding 28 appearances after moving across from Sydney FC.
Nicolas Milanovic
Milanovic has become a dominant attacking midfielder after growing up and playing in New South Wales's NPL. With 8 goals in 50 A-league appearances and yet to debut at any international level for Australia, he signed his first professional contract back in 2020 with Western United before moving back to Western Sydney ahead of the 2023/24 season.
Noah Botic
One of the forgotten young Australian strikers who played in the best European youth leagues in the world, playing for Hoffenheim’s reserves. The 21-year-old now finds himself back in Australia playing for Western United scoring 7 goals in 25 appearances. Botic will want to knock down a consistent starting role for the upcoming season.
Is there anybody we missed on this list that we should be looking out for this season?