Sydney FC Academy star Rawley St. John has signed a two-year contract with German Bundesliga giants VfB Stuttgart.
The 18-year old attacking midfielder moves to the five-time German Champions after four years with the Sydney FC Academy.
“I feel extremely grateful and proud to have this opportunity and I am very excited to start,” he said.
“The pathway at Stuttgart is fantastic, it’s one of the best in Europe which is why I think it is great for me.
“I’m also very thankful to the Sydney FC Academy for the past four years and their help in developing my game.
“The training and the environment is wonderful and without it I may never have got this chance.”
Sydney FC Head Of Player Management Alex Baumjohann is delighted to see another young player progress overseas.
“It is great to see the club’s strategy of helping young footballers achieve a significant pathway into the professional game paying dividends with Rawley following the departure of Max yesterday, and we are optimistic that other players will follow.
“It’s a great opportunity for Rawley and this is the type of opportunity we want to give all of our Academy players, a chance to play professional football either at home or abroad,” he said.
“If aspiring footballers are looking for opportunities in the professional game then Sydney FC is proud to be able to assist them.
“I know how much Rawley has impressed the staff at Stuttgart with his ability and attitude and we are very optimistic he can have a great career over there.”
St. John enjoyed the full experience during his time with the Sydney FC Academy having travelled to play in a tournament with the Ajax Academy in 2019.
Sydney FC Technical Director – Youth, Kelly Cross believes the young midfielder will go onto an impressive career.
“Rawley had four years with us at Sydney FC and we believe he has huge potential,” he said.
“He has a superb temperament and a strong desire to succeed, so this move provides him with an excellent platform to launch a career as a pro.
“We wish Rawley all the very best and we’re sure he will be a top advertisement for the great work our coaching staff have been doing since we started in 2015.”
As a 13 year old St. John had trials with German Champions League winners Borussia Dortmund and English Championship club Watford in the past.
The move is the second Academy success story in the past 24 hours following the departure of young Sydney FC goalkeeper Max Vartuli to Danish club AaB Aalborg yesterday.
Vartuli was a player who had progressed through the Sydney FC Academy Schools pathway.
