A big week for Socceroos defender Joel King has got even bigger, securing a move to Danish club Odense BK just days after making his national team debut.
With regular left-back Aziz Behich trapped in Turkey by a snowstorm, King was handed his debut in Thursday’s 4-0 World Cup qualifying win over Vietnam in Melbourne.
Sydney FC confirmed on Saturday the 21-year-old would join Odense for a six-figure transfer fee after the Superliga outfit triggered a clause in King’s contract with the offer.
He’ll link up with his new team following Tuesday’s (0200 Wed AEDT) qualifier against Oman in Muscat.
“It’s a life changing opportunity for me and I am extremely excited by the challenge,” King said.
King departs Sydney having won two A-League Men championships and a premiership, and was named the competition’s young player of the year last season.
His shared his Socceroos debut with fellow Sydney FC youth team product Marco Tilio.
The Melbourne City young gun, who won last year’s grand final with Patrick Kisnorbo’s team was also part of the Olyroos campaign in Tokyo alongside King, scoring in the 2-0 win against Argentina.
“We know each other quite well and it’s quite an exciting feeling for us to both debut on the same night,” Tilio said.
“We’ve spoken about it and the feeling and the buzz around the whole event and the game was phenomenal.
“I couldn’t even explain how good a feeling it was, super-exciting.”
Having won an A-League Men’s title, played at an Olympics and now debuted for the national team, 20-year-old Tilio’s next challenge is to make himself a regular in Graham Arnold’s Socceroos plans.
“I just want to be involved in-and-around these types of camps and the experiences of a World Cup qualifier,” Tilio said.
“I want this to continue.
“For me that’s the biggest goal, just to continue doing well and hopefully continue to be in these types of camps and teams.”
Grem
Roar Rookie
I have followed Sydney for quite a few years. They usually have a strong squad that has a good amount of young players. It is about grabbing your opportunity and not being given an extended run if you don't deserve it. Ryan Grant was given his first run a long time ago. He was a versatile player with no set position who demanded selection and eventually became a right back that went on to represent Australia. Joel King got his chance with Zullo's injury. He has developed into a player that has gone on to play for The Socceroos as well. Even if Zullo was fit, King grabbed his opportunity and would demand selection above Zullo if King was coming back. With other players such as Ivanovic, Buhagiar, Wood, Blackwood, etc. they have and are being given chances, but they're not grabbing them. If we look at yesterday, Buhagiar did some great stuff and he's very quick, but he missed goals. Bobo comes on later in the 2nd half, scores and we win. With Le Fondre coming back soon, Buhagiar has not made the most of his opportunities and will probably go to the bench. It's now up to Buhagiar to practise and fight again for his spot. The A League is a professional competition and spots should not just be given to someone because they're young. Adelaide do play more youngsters, but they have a smaller budget, a weaker squad and they have no choice. Sydney does produce a lot of talent and sometimes they do need to go elsewhere to play because they simply aren't good enough to demand selection.
Colsey
Roar Rookie
biggest problem at Sydney is that they dont give much game time to players aged 17-19. King has been an exception however most other players who are 19-21 struggle to get minutes. Callum talbot has just made his first start for the club and its 21, Harry VDS and Wood never get consistent minutes which is harming their development. The club should show more faith in their players like CCM or adelaide who seem to always give minutes to players aged 16-19.
Will
Guest
The question is why doesn't Sydney want to play them in their first team, what makes the others that special to begin with? Surely a more conscious club would take advantage of this and pursue a greater return by playing them in the first team, especially the ones that have greater value.
Grem
Roar Rookie
But Sydney don't produce talented youngsters! King, Teague, Pepeunion, Devlin, Tilio, etc. They do allow talented youngsters to pursue their careers elsewhere, especially when they are trying to get into their overloaded midfield and they certainly picked up a tidy sum for King - the beauty of a proper contract.
Saffi
Roar Rookie
Joel really surprised me, he had an awesome game. Good luck to him in Denmark. Tilio will be a fantastic player if he keeps improving as he has over the last year.