Ange Postecoglou’s Caltex Socceroos squad announced this week for a “Super June” of matches included a fresh face in Ajdin Hrustic. But who is he?
Ange names 30-man Caltex Socceroos squad for June
Ange: focus is Saudi World Cup qualifier
Here are 11 facts about our exciting new face as we trace his journey from Melbourne to Holland...
1.He is best mates with Manchester City sensation Leroy Sane, who he met when playing in Germany.
2.Ajdin is 20, from Dandenong in Melbourne and a former Heatherton United and South Melbourne junior
3.He was coached by Ange Postecoglou at a camp for elite junior players almost nine years ago.
4.Hrustic was also involved in an U-13 Australian boys side coached by Ante Juric, taking part in a tournament in Malaysia in 2009.
5.Ajdin has been in Europe for the last seven years. He began his overseas adventure with English club Nottingham Forest
6.Hrustic later moved to Austria Vienna’s youth system at a time when James Holland was at the club.
7.In 2013, Hrustic joined German outfit FC Schalke where his career began to blossom (he also became friends with Sane, a rising star of German football).
8.Ajdin left the German side in 2014, signing a professional senior contract with Dutch Eredivisie club Groningen in June 2015 after working his way up at the club
9.He debuted and scored his first senior goal with the Dutch outfit earlier this year
10.At Groningen, he plays alongside Caltex Socceroo Jason Davidson.
11.Ajdin played for the Australian national U-23 side, coached by Josep Gombau, earlier this year where he played against Austria in Spain.
For more on Ajdin's journey: Aussie youngster buzzing after Eredivisie breakthrough
The Caltex Socceroos tackle Saudi Arabia in a crucial World Cup Qualifer in Adelaide on June 8. Click Here for Tickets
