Adrian Segecic is elevating his performance with Sydney FC in the 2024-25 season. A look at the statistics reveals the remarkable form of the 20-year-old.
Sydney FC boasts an impressive array of talent, featuring both homegrown stars and international players. Among notable names are Douglas Costa, Joe Lolley, Patryk Klimala, Anthony Caceres, Leo Sena, and Anas Ouahim.
However, one young Aussie is making waves this season: Adrian Segecic.
This season is pivotal for the 20-year-old, with statistics that speak volumes.
Segecic has registered a career-best six goals in 14 matches within the Isuzu UTE A-League, with only eight of those being starts. In just 733 minutes of game time, he’s carving out a reputation as a potent super-sub in the Harbour City.
To put his scoring into perspective, he finds the net every 122 minutes this season.
His goal-scoring frequency surpasses that of Golden Boot leader and teammate Lolley (129.1), emerging Western United star Noah Botic (137.4), Wellington Phoenix legend Kosta Barbarouses (176.7), Western Sydney Wanderers’ Nicolas Milanovic (189.5), and Adelaide United’s Luka Jovanovic (124.3), alongside former Macarthur Bulls forward Jed Drew (146.2), ex-Brisbane Roar sensation Thomas Waddingham (220), and Klimala (194.5).
Segecic averages 0.74 goals per 90 minutes this season. Among players who have featured in at least 10 matches, he ranks fifth, trailing teammates Jaiden Kucharski and Tiago Quintal (both at 0.94), Adelaide’s Archie Goodwin (0.89), and Neyder Moreno (0.82) of Auckland FC.
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“Our playing style suits him perfectly; he’s a very dynamic player. His pressing and movement between the lines are exceptional,” commented Sydney’s head coach Ufuk Talay last month.
“We’re positioning him to leverage his strengths by playing him in spaces where he can exploit gaps in the opposition’s midfield.”
Talay made these remarks following an emphatic 4-1 victory over two-time defending champions Central Coast Mariners, where Segecic grabbed the spotlight with a hat-trick.
That night, the young talent became Sydney FC’s youngest-ever hat-trick scorer in the Isuzu UTE A-League, making his mark after coming off the bench in the 55th minute and netting three goals within 23 minutes. He is now the fifth youngest player to achieve a hat-trick in the league’s history, following behind Nestory Irankunda (18y, 49d), Nathan Burns (18y, 259d), Riley McGree (19y, 163d), and Adam Taggart (20y, 175d).
Segecic has also found the back of the net twice in the AFC Champions League this season, demonstrating his comfort within Talay’s tactical framework at Sydney.
“In the national team, I’ve typically played in the number 10 role, working between the lines and making runs off strikers,” Segecic disclosed to aleagues.com.au recently.
“For me, that position is where I shine the most. At the national level, I’ve been performing incredibly, and to replicate that here is significant for my development.”
There’s a growing belief that Segecic’s progress is linked to his overseas experience.
Last season, he was loaned to Dordrecht in the second tier of Dutch football, where he netted five goals. His European stint has undoubtedly propelled him to new heights.
“Playing overseas, where matches come every few days, allowed me to build confidence and experience,” Segecic reflected to aleagues.com.au last month.
“I’ve never stepped onto the pitch with such confidence and freedom as I have in recent games. It’s a significant part of my growth.”
Segecic’s tally of six goals comes from an Expected Goals (xG) total of 3.05. For comparison, Macarthur’s captain Germain has registered seven goals with a league-leading xG of 9.09, while Lolley’s competition-high eight goals have been achieved from a 6.30 xG.
When considering players aged 23 or younger in the Isuzu UTE A-League during the 2024-25 season, Segecic ranks fourth for goal contributions (eight), trailing only Drew, Botic, and Milanovic, who boast far more playing time.
It’s not solely his scoring prowess that’s attracting attention; his ball skills are also impressive, as he ranks in the top 10 for carries (91) and carry directness (40) among under-23 attackers.
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“I’ve sensed this lad has potential for some time, and the evidence is now starting to appear,” remarked Sydney Morning Herald journalist Vince Rugari on Total A-Leagues last month.
“After spending last season on loan in the Netherlands’ second division, he has returned looking stronger than ever.”
Retired Socceroo Tommy Oar added: “He possesses a determination that indicates he’s out to prove something every time he steps onto the pitch.”
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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