Perth Glory is delighted to confirm that defender Jacob Young has signed a one-year scholarship contract with the club.
The 22-year-old joined Glory on a short-term deal midway through last season and made two appearances off the bench against Western Sydney Wanderers in Round 9 and Western United in Round 24.
Since the conclusion of the ISUZU UTE A-League season, the former Sunderland and Hoffenheim II youth player has been a regular starter for the PGFC Academy First Team in the NPL WA.
The opportunity to continue to emulate his father Stuart, who made 22 appearances for Glory between 2005 and 2007, is one which Young is determined to seize with both hands.
“I’m happy to have signed an extension for the coming season,” he said.
“To be able to represent my home city and follow in my dad’s footsteps is something I have been looking forward to since being back in Australia.
“I’ve had a small taste of A-League football and now earning minutes and playing as many games as possible are my individual goals for the season.
“After a hectic last season, it will be good to have some normality back and to play in front of the home crowd.
“I’ve had a brief conversation with [Head Coach] Ruben [Zadkovich] and I know his ambitions for myself and the team are high.
“He’s a winner and will instil a winning mentality within the group.”
Zadkovich, meanwhile, was quick to praise both the centre-back’s ability and mentality.
“Jacob is a very talented young defender whom I believe has a huge amount of unfulfilled potential,” he said.
“Top attitude. Top professional. Top person.
“He has really knuckled down and focused on getting his body right and this year’s pre-season will give him the chance to continue his growth and really excel at the next level.”
Glory Head of Recruitment, Andy Keogh, is similarly excited by Young’s potential.
“It’s fantastic to be able to add Jacob to our squad this season,” he said.
“He has had it tough the last few years, but even in the most uncomfortable circumstances, remained infectiously positive among his team mates.
“We’re really looking forward to a settled season for Jacob and seeing how he develops in this great club.”
Young played his early football with Cockburn City before joining Sunderland in 2016 where he featured regularly for the club’s Under-18 and Under-23 sides.
A move to Germany followed three years later for the rangy, left-footed centre-back who joined highly-regarded outfit, Hoffenheim II.
After returning to Australia, he was signed by Glory in February of this year and in addition to his two A-League appearances for the club, has now also featured in 11 NPL WA games.
Further signing announcements will be made shortly.
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