Sydney FC has secured one of Australian football’s brightest young talents with highly-rated right-back James Overy joining the Sky Blues from Manchester United on a three-year contract.
The 18-year-old Australian youth international joins Sydney FC immediately and will link up with Patrick Kisnorbo’s squad ahead of the new A-League season.
Overy arrives following two years within Manchester United’s Academy system, having joined the Premier League giants in 2024 after attracting attention as one of Australia’s most exciting teenage prospects.
He was named by The Guardian among the 60 best young footballers in the world born in 2007 and has also progressed rapidly through Australia’s international pathway, representing the Young Socceroos at the FIFA U20 World Cup and the Australian U23s at this year’s AFC U23 Asian Cup.
He has already been included in senior Socceroos squads and will be aiming to put himself firmly in contention for next year’s AFC Asian Cup by performing regularly in Sky Blue.
Sydney FC Head Coach Patrick Kisnorbo believes Overy has the attributes to become an outstanding A-League player.
“James is an extremely exciting young Australian player who we believe has a very big future,” Kisnorbo said.
“He is quick, aggressive, technically very good and loves to get forward from right-back, but he also has the mentality and competitiveness you want from a young defender.
“He has spent two important years developing in an elite environment at Manchester United and now he needs regular senior football to take the next step in his career.
“He has already been around the Socceroos at only 18, which demonstrates how highly regarded he is, and what a good character he is as well.
“We’re delighted James has chosen Sydney FC and I’m looking forward to working with him.”
The attacking right-back first came to prominence with Perth Glory when, aged just 15, he produced an impressive performance against Premier League club West Ham United in a pre-season friendly in Perth in July 2023.
Overy said the opportunity to return to Australia and play regular senior football for the Sky Blues was an exciting next stage in his career.
“I’ve had an unbelievable experience at Manchester United and learned so much from being in that environment every day, but I feel this is the right time for me to take the next step and play senior football,” he said.
“Sydney FC is a massive club with a history of winning trophies and developing young Australian players, so I’m really excited to be joining.
“I want to come in, work hard, compete for a place in the team and show what I can do.
“Being involved with the Socceroos has given me a taste of where I want to get to and playing regularly for Sydney FC is a huge opportunity for me to keep developing and hopefully earn more opportunities with the national team.
“I can’t wait to get started and pull on the Sky Blue shirt.”
Overy will join the Sky Blues immediately and is available to face Melbourne Victory in the Australia Cup semi-final on Wednesday night at Jubilee Oval – 7.30pm kick off.
