Sydney FC has secured one of Australian football’s brightest young prospects, signing highly-rated 16-year-old striker Zach Harrison from Brisbane Roar on a three-year contract with an option for a further season.
Harrison joins the Sky Blues immediately after establishing himself as one of the most exciting emerging forwards in the country, with his performances attracting significant interest from clubs across Australia.
Despite being just 16, the prolific striker has already been playing a year above his age group for the Joeys – Australia’s Under-17 national team – underlining his standing among the nation’s best young talents.
Harrison further enhanced his reputation at this year’s Emerging Socceroos Championships, producing a standout tournament to claim both the Golden Boot and Player of the Tournament awards.
Sydney FC Head Coach Patrick Kisnorbo believes Harrison has the attributes and mentality to develop into an outstanding striker.
“Zach is one of the most exciting young attacking players in Australian football and we are delighted he has chosen Sydney FC,” Kisnorbo said.
“He is a natural goalscorer. He has very good movement, a real instinct for finding opportunities in and around the box and, importantly, he has that hunger to keep scoring and improving.
“There were a lot of clubs interested in him, which is understandable given what he has already achieved at such a young age, so it is a great endorsement of what we are building here that Zach sees Sydney FC as the best place for his development.
“He has enormous potential, but he is still only 16 and we will give him the right environment, coaching and opportunities to continue progressing. We’re very excited to see where he can go.”
Harrison said the opportunity to join the Sky Blues was the perfect next step in his fledgling career.
“Wednesday was my last day of school, and it happened straight away. I got told, left that day and packed all day on Thursday,” he said
“I hopped on a flight this morning, landed and came straight to Sky Park. I got my name printed, had these photos done, and I’m excited to be here and excited to start working.
“The way Sydney develops players and gives opportunities to young players made it an easy pick. I feel like I can really develop here and become a top player.
“I look up to Erling Haaland a lot. I’ve been told I look like him a bit and play like him — tall and strong.
“I love to study him as a player. I feel like he understands football really well: when to get into the box, when to hold his run and his movement in general.
“I try to almost be like him and replicate what he does.”
The youngster is also keen to experience his first Sydney Derby on Day 1.
“It’s the type of occasion where you want to be on the pitch playing. I’m really excited to get involved, and if I have the opportunity to play, I’ll be very happy,” he said.
Harrison will link up with Sydney FC immediately as he begins the next stage of his development in Sky Blue.
