Ballarat City has landed a big signing for the second half of the National Premier League season, welcoming English striker Courtney Austin to the club.
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The 19-year-old played in the English Championship League, a tier below the Premier League, side Brentford’s youth team but missed out on receiving a pro contract at the end of the 2016 season.
Austin then played non-league seniors for Hanwell Town and Southwell FC and will now look to continue his claim for an English or A-League contract at Ballarat.
City were dealt a blow earlier this month as key goal-scorer Michael Trigger left to play for NPL1 side Heidelberg, but it is has already managed to cover his loss effectively – boasting three wins and a draw in the five games without him.
Coach Danny Gnjidic said he was a different type of player to Trigger, but was a huge get for the club.
As City makes its move up the ladder, currently sitting fifth, a player of Austin’s calibre is a timely inclusion.
“He’s an out-and-out forward, where Trigger was more of an attacking-midfielder type,” Gnjidic said.
“He’s really athletic, he’s got pace and he’s an instinctive goal-scorer. We believe he’ll be someone who compliments what we have and give us some additional firepower up front.
“He’s here to play football and he’s hopefully someone who can do a good job for us in the second half of the season.
“He ticks all the boxes and fits the criteria we want in a player.”
Gnjidic said the club would not be placing unrealistic expectations on Austin. While his talent and potential is significant, Gnjidic was mindful of not heaping the pressure onto a young man who has traveled solo to a foreign country.
Austin arrived in Australia Sunday night and will meet his teammates at Monday’s training session and is firmly in the frame for selection for this week’s clash with Whittlesea Ranges.
“He’s got the drive and passion to be a professional footballer at the highest possible level.
“We’re excited to have someone of his ilk with us, but at the same time we’re keeping a lid on our expectations of him because he’s a young man coming into an unknown environment.”
Ballarat City has enjoyed a steady rise up the ladder through the middle stages of the season – moving from ninth to fifth since round seven, Austin is sure to add to that rise.