Aiden O’Neill has fulfilled his European ambitions by securing a four-year contract with Belgian top-flight club Standard Liege.
The 24-year-old, who announced last week that he would be leaving A-League Men champions Melbourne City after an outstanding season, will remain with Belgium’s 10-time champions until the conclusion of the 2026-27 season.
His 20-year-old former teammate Jordan Bos’ May transfer to KVC Westerlo was characterized as a “club-record breaking” transfer fee for the A-League club.
O’Neill earned his first national call-up earlier this year, making his Socceroos debut against Ecuador in a March friendly in Sydney.
With regulars Jackson Irvine and Aaron Mooy absent from Australia’s squad for Thursday’s match against world champions Argentina in Beijing, O’Neill is widely anticipated to start.
He will join a lengthy list of Socceroos who have played in Belgium, including current national team manager Graham Arnold, Mat Ryan, Trent Sainsbury, Tony Vidmar, Jason Culina, Josip Skoko, Paul Okon, Frank Farina, and John Aloisi, among others.
Between 2016 and 2020, O’Neill was under contract with Premier League newcomers Burnley. “It’s going to be a very exciting step for me,” he said.
“I’m ecstatic to have completed it and eager to start. This league is really intriguing. Numerous talented athletes compete there and also advance their careers there.
“It is clear that they are now considering Australian players, which is a fantastic position to be in. I’m simply thrilled to get started.”