Adrian Segecic, a promising 21-year-old attacker shining at Portsmouth in the Championship, has committed his international future to Croatia, leaving Australia’s Socceroos without one of their brightest young talents.
Swift Paperwork Change Seals the Switch
Segecic’s change of association paperwork cleared on Friday and appeared on FIFA’s online platform by Saturday, just months before Australia’s World Cup opener in Vancouver. Under FIFA regulations, playing a competitive match for Croatia would lock him in permanently. Reversing the decision without playing would require approval from FIFA’s Football Tribunal.
From Aussie Youth Star to Senior Snub
The former Sydney FC product represented Australia at under-17, under-20, and under-23 levels. He earned his first senior Socceroos call-up under coach Tony Popovic for matches against New Zealand in September but saw no action and has not been selected since.
Segecic has impressed at Portsmouth with six goals and two assists across competitions this season. Previously, he expressed strong desire to feature for the Socceroos at the World Cup, but those plans have shifted.
Croatia’s Depth Poses Challenges
World No. 11 Croatia boasts deep talent, scheduling friendlies against Colombia and Brazil this month. Segecic’s debut timeline remains uncertain amid the competition.
He joins a line of dual-eligible players opting elsewhere, including Canberra-born Josip Simunic, who chose Croatia in 2001, and midfielder Nectar Triantis, who debuted for Greece after attending a Socceroos camp.
Blow to Australia’s Attack Ahead of Key Matches
The decision hampers Australia’s forward options before their World Cup campaign and upcoming friendlies against Cameroon and Curacao in Sydney and Melbourne. While Alex Robertson has pledged to Australia, Italy youth international Cristian Volpato continues deliberations after rejecting prior approaches ahead of the 2022 World Cup. Volpato recently met Popovic and assistant Paul Okon in Italy.
Popovic emphasized a no-pressure approach: “We are not selling the shirt. There were no ultimatums or any pressure, it was a discussion… they are young men, you have to respect the decisions they have to make. He (Volpato) has indicated he’s open to the idea, now the rest is just for him to decide.”
