Perth Glory is delighted to confirm that versatile defender Josh Rawlins has returned to the club on a free loan from Dutch side FC Utrecht for the remainder of the 2023/24 Isuzu UTE A-League season.
View our exclusive interview with Josh HERE.
Now 19, Rawlins joined Glory aged just 11 and after progressing through the ranks of the PGFC Academy, made his senior debut in the club’s 2019 friendly clash with Manchester United at Optus Stadium.
He then made his first competitive appearance during Glory’s 2020 AFC Asian Champions League campaign and chalked up his maiden A-League start against Adelaide United in January 2021.
After featuring in 34 A-League games over the next eighteen months and still aged just 18, the former Dianella SC junior signed a four-year contract with prominent Dutch side, FC Utrecht, for whom he has made 24 appearances at Under-21 level to date.
In terms of his international career, meanwhile, Rawlins previously represented Australia at Under-15, 17 and 20 level and is currently a key member of the Under-23 squad who remain on track to secure a place at this year’s Paris Olympics.
He is now excited to be back where it all began and keen to wear the famous purple once again.
“It’s a good opportunity for myself to come home and play some football,” he said.
“Coming through the [PGFC] Academy, reaching the first team and playing for my hometown club was a proud moment for me.
“To play in front of the Glory fans at HBF Park is amazing.
“Alen [Stajcic] seems like a good coach and I’m really looking forward to playing under him.”
Glory CEO Anthony Radich is thrilled that one of the club’s brightest young products has re-joined the squad at a crucial time of the season.
“It’s fantastic to have Josh back at Glory,” he said.
“He’s a hugely-talented player with a great future in front of him and very much one of our own.
“I would like to sincerely thank FC Utrecht for agreeing to this deal and also the player’s agency, most notably Mich d’Avray and Matthew Moore, for making it happen.
“I’m sure our Members and fans will be very excited to see Josh representing his hometown club once again.”
Rawlins is expected to be allocated the number 16 jersey.
#ONEGlory
