Western United has officially announced that their top goalscorer, Noah Botic, has transferred to Austrian football powerhouses, Austria Wien.
Botic has inked a three-year contract after his previous deal with Western in the Isuzu UTE A-League came to an end.
The club will be acknowledged for their pivotal role in Botic’s growth and progress as a footballer since he returned from Europe to join the Green and Black in 2021.
Austria Wien, who boast an impressive 24 Bundesliga titles, managed to secure the Socceroos prospect despite interest from German clubs. Botic had a standout season with Western, netting 16 goals in 29 appearances, which included a record-setting hat-trick against Adelaide United in the Elimination Final. This achievement made him the youngest player in Isuzu UTE A-League history to score three times in a finals match.
FEATURE: An honorary Aussie drops a memorable quote following Euro triumph with Ange
“It’s tough to say goodbye after four incredible years at this amazing club,” Botic expressed. “The support and kindness I’ve received here has been overwhelming, and I will truly miss everyone.”
“This club has meant everything to me; it’s the first and only professional club I’ve played for.”
“I’m immensely grateful to everyone, from the background staff to the team members and players. They’ve all significantly influenced my journey here, and I especially want to thank the coach for allowing me to debut and helping to launch my career.”
REVEALED: How Ange signed A-League icons following a ‘special’ text in 2023
WONDERKID WATCH: Mariners legend’s son sparks an NPL upset with a stunning last-minute free kick
Botic leaves Tarneit as the club’s all-time leading scorer, with an impressive tally of 27 goals in just 27 outings.
He notched up 12 goals in the 2024-25 regular season, narrowly missing the Golden Boot by a single goal.
Western United’s general manager of football, Mal Impiombato, stated: “We take immense pride in Noah for the dedication he’s shown in honing his craft and securing this dream move abroad.
“Noah’s accomplishments guarantee his name will forever resonate in our club’s history. His exceptional skill on the field has significantly raised our standards and culture off it.
“This marks a significant milestone for our club in sending a player to a prestigious European league. We’re proud of the part we’ve played in Noah getting to this pivotal point in his career and firmly believe we’ve developed our next Socceroo.”
“On behalf of everyone within the club, I want to thank Noah for the lasting impression he’s made on Western United and wish him all the best in his future endeavours. We’ll be supporting and celebrating his successes from afar.”
Botic will be the third Australian in the Austrian Bundesliga next season, joining former Macarthur Bulls star Jed Drew and ex-Perth Glory talent Jacob Italiano, who play for TSV Hartberg and Grazer AK, respectively.
The Australian young talent follows in the footsteps of notable compatriots at Austria Wien, including James Holland, James Jeggo, and Joey Didulica, while 19-year-old ex-Melbourne Victory midfielder George Mihailidis is currently part of their youth ranks.
SHOCK STAT: The Isuzu UTE A-League ranked above the Premier League and Bundesliga globally
RANKED: Top 10 signings of the Isuzu UTE A-League 2024-25 season
Austria Wien concluded the last season third in the league, just three points shy of champions Sturm Graz, marking their best finish since the 2016-17 season. They also progressed to the semi-finals of the Austrian Cup.
“Noah is a young striker who is already quite adept and possesses a keen eye for goal, as evidenced by his recent season in Australia,” commented sporting director Manuel Ortlechner.
“His motivation is commendable, and he has ambitions to break into the national team while establishing himself here in Europe. From our first conversation, it was clear that he was eager to join Austria Wien, which made a significant impression on us.
“Additionally, succeeding against competition from Germany is quite rewarding. We are thrilled to have secured Noah’s signature!”
Featured image: Austria Wien
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
Fanpage: SportArena.com.au.
LiveScore – Live Sports Results & Odds.
