To say the 2021-22 season has been torrid for Sydney FC is an understatement, culminating in the club’s failure to make the finals series for the first time since 2013.
However, there is some much needed good news, with Sydney announcing the signing of a player many involved in youth development believe will become a star: Adrian Segecic.
Segecic was expected to depart Sydney at season end for Europe, but with other A-League Men clubs also circling, the Sky Blues acted swiftly, signing the teenage tyro to a three-year contract.
Rival fans have been quick to taunt Sydney throughout the years in regards to the club’s reluctance to integrate talented youth into the first team, preferring mature-age players.
However, Sydney deserve to be applauded for this signing, considering the number of young players that have left the club in seasons gone by.
At juniors level, Segecic found the back of the net regularly, playing between the under-13 and under-15 age groups.
While not as prolific compared to some of his peers, it was his technical ability that instantly had people taking note. So much so that the Croatian FA came calling.
Segecic was born in Australia but is also eligible to play for Croatia, via his grandparents.
Australia knew of the potential as well and drafted the former Trinity Catholic College student in the under-15 squad and camp for the under-17s run by Trevor Morgan.
Sky blue is the only colour Segecic knows, as he has progressed through the ranks since joining Sydney’s academy in its first year of operation in 2016.
He has carefully been looked after by Sydney coaches Jimmy van Weeren and Howard Fondyke to become the crown jewel of the Harbour City’s much maligned youth set-up.
(Photo by Steve Christo/Corbis via Getty Images)
A move to Europe seemed inevitable, especially after Segecic’s whirlwind trials in 2020 at several big European clubs including Liverpool, Manchester City, Leeds, Chelsea, Wolves, Ajax, Dinamo Zagreb and Rangers.
It was the Scottish giant Rangers that were thought to have struck a deal, with news confirmed through social media channels, only for the deal to dramatically collapse at the last hurdle.
Rejection can hurt the confidence of young players, but unperturbed by it, Segecic put all his effort back into football and his consistent performances with Sydney’s NPL side saw the youngster win the club’s rising star award.
Surprisingly Segecic has only featured several times for the Sydney FC first team this season, during the side’s disastrous A-League Men and Asian Champions League campaigns.
Segecic is the latest in a long list of Australian players with heritage from the Balkans that have excellent technical ability – players from this part of the world seem to be born with it.
He possesses a wand of a left foot that is reminiscent of a young Craig Goodwin, but is equally adept at cutting back on his right side when needed.
Segecic also has the confidence to not only take on a player, but fly past them with a deft change of pace.
But his best overall quality may be his vision, used to perfection when he drops deep and drifts in between the lines where defenders are unsure whether to stay or engage.
Their indecision leaves Segecic in his element, having the foresight to thread weighted passes into on-rushing teammates.
Like any modern attacking player, he is not afraid to put in a shift defensively. However, he is better suited to having the ball at his feet, rather than chasing it.
The biggest area of improvement might actually come from the weights room.
Segecic is of very slight build and while this helps him slalom through challenges, bigger-bodied opponents will regularly use heavy-handed tactics to foul him.
Adding some muscle to his upper body will make the player more resilient to the types of bumps and tackles that a player of his particular skill set attracts.
Segecic will be 18 by the time next season starts and after a full pre-season it would be no surprise to see him pushing for a starting berth in Sydney’s new-look midfield.
Mark
Guest
Talk is Talbot may be signing with City, apparently to provide cover for Jenkinson if he doesn't get resigned after his loan period from Forest expires and provide competition for Galloway, Bos, and Jamieson. Mind you I would be keen to keep Jenko.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Interesting that Ninkovic and Wilkinson haven't been included in that group, especially with Corica talking about the need for a striker, number 10 and defence. Left backs are not easy to find and Talbot looked pretty good.
Garry
Roar Rookie
Talbot is amongst the 12 announced as leaving
Grem
Roar Rookie
I read that. Hopefully he can do something different and hopefully Sydney really add to their squad in the next few weeks. I guess the coach should be in place before the players start coming in. I also hope they resign Talbot and a few other young players.
Garry
Roar Rookie
Segecic hass been signed up again but “Strikers Kosta Barbarouses, Luciano Narsingh and Trent Buhagiar will all depart alongside midfielder Mustafa Amini and defenders Harry Van der Saag, Callum Talbot, Anton Milnaric and Liam McGing. Long term injury concerns Chris Zuvela and Calem Nieuwenhof will also leave the club, but will continue their rehab at Sydney FC until they’re deemed fit to play or wish to depart.”
Garry
Roar Rookie
well it seems Corica’s back for another 2 seasons at least,,,,lets hope a lot of us here are proved wrong!!
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
Moon has had to fiddle the backline for most of the season, with senior players Aldred, Neville, Brown and Hingert out for much of the season, and young Izack Powell seriously ill (best wishes mate). It was a great opportunity for Milnaric, who looked average alongside Kai Trewin who is imo, the best young centre back in the league. Numerous critical comments made on this forum about Moon's defensive back line, but none ever acknowledge the difficulties he's had with injuries, players out of position and managing youth back there. Still a pretty good defensive record, even better if you eliminate the worst and best games/results (normal statistical analysis procedure, eliminate the one-off bad and good results). Milnaric has played a few NPL games and looked ok. Also seems a strong personality, but I've not met him. He may have a big future, but what I've seen he is not yet ready for the A League. Disclaimer, I'm not a scout and have never played the game.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
coach is another issue if he stays, im not sure many of the youngsters get a look in this season. theres a lengthy list of of younger players leaving this off season: wood - gone buhagier, van der saag, talbot, niuewenhoff - are all engaged in different levels of negotiations with rival club. mlinaric - will likely move on sydney will spend a lot of money this off season on recruitment, deals for segecic and gurd are just papering over the cracks sydney are really in a bit of pickle with what to do, all things considered
Will
Guest
I Agree, it's a shame that Corica's rigid 4-2-2-2 just pigeon holes players in a specific position which restricts there natural flair.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
attacking mid all day for me, he has the vision to see whats in front of him and make the right pass i know locals are ranting and raving about kucharski and sapsford, but im not sold on either of them being a league level
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
im a big fan of the player, i've put his scouting data on here and hes rated top 5 in young centrebacks nationally - just from his developemental metrics a loan to brisbane looked like a great move for all parties, unfortunately it hasn't worked out im not sure moon even knows what his best XI is (when everyone is fit) and that itself is an issues, hhhhhhhhhhhhhowever mlinaric has been responsible for some goals brissy conceded and positionally he's looked out of sorts. it happens with young players, they need a consistent run of games (several) to really feel comfortable. hes off contract shortly and sydney more than likely wont resign him - he needs to make the right move for his career now
Will
Guest
Hes a great young talent, for me he looks more of a playmaker than a flying winger though so I keen to see how he's development goes at Sydney FC. And he isnt the only talented player Sydney FC have too, their NPL team have got some very good talent that have impressed and are also top of the table in the NSW NPL which is a great effort in a good league outside of the a-league.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
There you go again. Luke Ivanovic disagrees with you strongly about Moon. So too a growing number of youth players at Roar.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
Milnaric has been disappointing at Roar. Gives the ball away too easily, in front of goal resulting in goals against.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
sydney are sitting on a batch of really talented players with serbian or croatian heritage (especially at centreback) in there system. calusic, pavlesevic, duricic and mlinaric (the latter 3 are at the age where they need to think about moving, on if they want to play professionally.) i made specific mention of segecics weighted passes, he played a beautiful one on the weekend in the NSW NPL that deserved a goal
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
In the very little we have seen of Segecic he looks technically good, not sure athleticallty. Bozanovski for Western United looks a good athlete as well technically. Thats the mystery of Western United, Theoharus what happened to him looked good technically some good through balls but haven't see him again after one half. The three coaches that impress me are Corica, Talay and Aloisi in terms of improving players, on the other hand Aloisi and Corica are the worst two in terms of playing youth. Also the important age for most players is 22-25. Signing young players hardly playing them and the abandoning them at 20 is not the way to go. Young players should avoid Roar,Perth and Adelaide, these clubs have got numpty coaches players look better when they start and go downhill.
Punter
Roar Rookie
Great article TSS. I too love your insights into the younger players & their potential, good to see that Croatia liked young Segecic, hopefully he can develop into someone special for the Socceroos. Totally agree with your comment of the kids with Balkans heritage producing for Australia, they are certainly blessed with high technical skills.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
i could've used several other words instead of 'dismal', but they all fit lol a club of this stature with its financial muscle should never miss the 6, regardless of the covid circumstances. off seasons going to be a painful one, more and more players are speaking to rival teams. the latest being, nieuwenhoff - who is negotiating with the wanderers
Grem
Roar Rookie
And Sydney only just missed out on the finals – it wasn’t that dismal. If Adelaide didn’t somehow snatch victory against us from the jaws of defeat we probably would have made it. Also, Ninkovic has been brilliant for Sydney and the A League. Do you agree that he shouldn’t play next season, but should be kept on in a coaching capacity by Sydney. Imagine Ninkovic and Penha having input into Segecic’s future play.
Grem
Roar Rookie
These are the football stories I love to read. Such an interesting and informative analysis. Yes, I support Sydney FC, but I support football more. I love hearing about the young talent produced, whether it’s Archie Goodwin from Newcastle or any of the young South Australians, etc. The Croatian/Australian community have certainly produced some great Australian players and hopefully this is another one. I’m glad Sydney have signed him to a three year contract, now hopefully they nurture him further by playing him at useful times and for useful minutes. They have a duty to Australian football to see him and others develop further. Thanks again Secret Scout. Your insights are excellent.