Promising midfielder Paul Okon-Engstler has transferred to German Bundesliga club FC Koln from Sydney FC, marking a significant step in his career following his performance in the recent World Cup campaign.
The 21-year-old's transfer fee is reportedly one million Euros (approximately $A1.6 million), a substantial sum for Sydney FC, who had signed him on a three-year contract last July.
"Obviously very emotional, very sad, that we weren't able to progress to the next round of the World Cup," Okon-Engstler stated, reflecting on the team's exit. "Just seeing some of the older players and how emotional they were, knowing that it's their last World Cup... it really hit me, I think, after the game. It just makes me even more grateful to experience it... it gives me so much motivation to go back to keep improving every day and try and play at the highest level every week."
Okon-Engstler, born in Belgium while his father, former Australian international Paul Okon, played in the Belgian Pro League, moved to Australia at one year old when his father joined the Newcastle Jets.
His move to Germany is part of a trend for emerging Australian talent. Teammate Lucas Herrington, an 18-year-old defender, is also reportedly fielding offers from top European leagues, with interest from clubs including Barcelona, Liverpool, and Bayern Munich. Herrington, currently with the Colorado Rapids, was a notable player in the World Cup, despite a late penalty miss in a shootout that saw the Socceroos eliminated in the knockout stage. His estimated value is around $25 million, with an initial $8 million bid from Barcelona reportedly rejected by Colorado.
Another teammate, Nestory Irankunda, has also seen his market value rise after a notable goal in Australia's cup opener. The 20-year-old, currently at Watford in the English Championship, has attracted a rejected $16 million bid from Premier League side Hull City. Irankunda's value is believed to be double that figure, with interest from other English clubs and some Italian teams.
