Sydney FC’s young Academy striker Alen Harbas has signed an 18-month contract to move to Finnish first division club FC KTP on loan.
The 19-year-old striker has scored nine goals in 22 appearances for the Sky Blues Academy first grade this season which attracted the attention of the Scandinavian club.
The Australian born centre forward is already training with the two-time Veikkausliiga Champions and wants to make the most of it.
“I am delighted to be joining FC KTP, it is a great opportunity and the last two years with Sydney FC have prepared me to take it with both hands,” he said.
“To play professional football in Europe has always been a dream and KTP have a great history here in the Finnish league.
“I am excited to see myself develop and gather experience.
“It is a great step in my football career, and I am very keen to make the most of it.”
Sydney FC Head of Player Management Alex Baumjohann worked with KTP to complete the loan deal and believes it will help Alen’s development.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for Alen, he has shown in the NPL that he has potential, and he is our leading goal scorer with nine goals,” he said.
“It is important that we provide him with this opportunity, so it is the perfect next step in his career.
“I am confident we have identified the right club where he will be successful.
”We would love Alen to return next season and feature prominently in our A-League squad”
Sydney FC’s Technical Director – Youth, Kelly Cross said Harbas was deserving of his chance in Europe after putting in the hard yards.
“Alen is a very good striker who can score with both feet either from close or long distance and has a good ability from free kicks.
“He is a great learner who fitted into our environment and enjoyed being challenged every day.
“He was always willing to stay behind at the end of training to do extra work, particularly on his finishing.
“He scored a lot of goals in the under 20s last year despite injury and is our current Golden Boot in the NPL this season. We wish him well.”
FC KTP currently sit in ninth from twelve in the Finnish first division after 15 matches.
