Adelaide United FC’s crop of quality young talent continues to grow following the signing of exciting 18 year old attacking midfielder Jake Barker-Daish.
Adelaide United FC-s crop of quality young talent continues to grow following the signing of exciting 18 year old attacking midfielder Jake Barker-Daish.
Part of Gold Coast United-s exuberant young brigade during the latter stages of last season, Barker-Daish-s two year commitment to the Reds sees him follow fellow GCU team mate Daniel Bowles to Adelaide.
An athletic goal scoring midfielder who is seen as a natural number 10, Barker-Daish has represented the Qantas Joeys (U-17), was the youngest player to be selected in the Qantas Young Socceroos- FIFA U-20 World Cup 2011 squad and is eligible for the next Under 20 World Cup in 2013.
Adelaide United Football Director Michael Petrillo expressed the club-s delight in securing a player regarded as one of the most promising in the country and coming with big wraps from former Australian U-17 and U-20 Head Coach Jan Versleijen and former Gold Coast United boss Miron Bleiberg.
“Jake is an exciting young player and has been on John (Kosmina-s) radar for awhile now,” Petrillo said.
“Kossie has made no secret of the fact that he wants players here who want to play for the club first and foremost, and when Jake made it very clear that Adelaide was where he wanted to be and take the next step in his career, that really reinforced our desire to sign him.”
“Since making his debut for Gold Coast United this year he has shown he has the ability to play at A-League level, and along with Daniel Bowles, will add some youthful enthusiasm and genuine talent to the group. We look forward to both of them joining the Adelaide United Football Club.”
In his decision to join the Reds, Barker-Daish says it did not take long for him to be convinced that Adelaide was where he wanted to begin the next chapter in a football journey that has huge potential.
“I-m really excited about coming to Adelaide and hopefully I can play really well there,” Barker-Daish said from his home town of Melbourne.
“I was quietly confident but obviously you just don-t know in football what can happen, so I-m definitely glad to have secured the deal with Adelaide.”
“I felt that Adelaide was a good place for me to get the opportunity to really progress as a player and hopefully I get as many opportunities as I can through the midfield and help the team be successful.”
Barker-Daish joined Gold Coast United-s senior squad for the 2011/12 season after graduating through the Australian Institute of Sport, and following his Hyundai A-League debut against Melbourne Heart on February 17, he play the remaining six games of the season.
If the kind of qualities Barker-Daish believes he can bring as a player, there is reason for United fans to already start looking forward to 2012/13.
“I-d like to think that I-m an attacking midfielder who can create things and hopefully bring a bit of excitement to the team, but I-m more just looking forward to being part of what is already a good team down there,” Barker-Daish said.
Finally, Barker-Daish says he is grateful to have been given a shot in the Hyundai A-League by Gold Coast United-s interim coach Mike Mulvey despite the turmoil that surrounded the club.
“It was a great experience and I-m very thankful to Mike (Mulvey) for giving me the opportunity. I thought all of us younger guys did really well together considering the circumstances,” Barker-Daish said.
The future at Adelaide United looks bright with Barker-Daish joining an impressive list of young talent at the Reds, which includes Jacob Melling, Paul Izzo, Teeboy Kamara and Bowles, as well as Osama Malik and Antony Golec who are both still 21.
Barker-Daish-s contract officially starts on May 1.
Jake BARKER-DAISH
DOB 7 May 1993 (Melbourne)
Age 18
Position Midfielder
Height 181cm
Weight 75kg
Club History
Gold Coast United
AIS
Victorian Institute of Sport
Altona Magic (Victoria)
Representative Honours
Qantas Young Socceroos (U/20), Qantas Joeys (U-17)
Additional Information
Hyundai A-League Appearances – 7 for Gold Coast United
2011 AIS Player of the Year
