But the emerging Lazio midfielder didn’t expect any preferential treatment from the Crystal Palace captain when he headed into camp for last month’s internationals with Germany and Macedonia – and he didn’t receive any.
In an example of the close bonds that bind Australia’s football fraternity, Ikonomidis is connected to Jedinak through wedlock.
“There’s no blood connection… the link is that my auntie, who married into our family, has a sister (Natalie) who is married to Mile," Ikonomidis explained.
“I have known about the connection for a while and when I was younger there was some contact with Mile's parents, who have recently got back in touch with my parents… it's more like we are family friends.”
Ikonomidis insisted it was just coincidence that he was the first team-mate to hug 'Uncle' Mile when he made a beeline to the bench to celebrate scoring a stunning free kick in the 2-2 draw with Germany in Kaiserslautern.
He also stated that having Jedinak in his family had never been a factor in his desire to crack professional football, revealing that the fire always burned within.
“It’s been nice to have that link but I’ve always had that ambition to play the game at the top level,” added the 19 year-old, who came off the bench in the final 10 minutes for his debut in the 0-0 draw against Macedonia in Skopje.
“When I was in camp we touched on it (the family link) a bit and when I got the call-up, Mile’s dad called my dad and offered his congratulations and said that Mile would look after me and make sure I felt at home, which was good.
“But Mile is good in that really he treats everybody the same and is so level headed.”
Asked if Jedinak had singled him out for a hug in Kaiserslautern in recognition of the family link, Ikonomidis said: “I’m not so sure about that, I think it was more a case of me being first off the bench to celebrate the goal. It was a fantastic moment.”
The teenagers counts Jedinak as an inspirational figure, both personally, and for the national team, explaining: “He’s the captain of our country and I have huge respect for him and he is definitely an idol.
“He’s had a fantastic career so far and it’s nowhere near finished. I look at guys like him and I am trying to follow in their footsteps and trying to emulate some of their achievements.”
Ikonmiodis, who has been on the bench twice for Lazio’s senior side this season, has starred for its Primavera outfit - but was suspended for last weekend’s 3-3 draw at Catania and will also miss Saturday’s home game against Livorno after picking a red card before going in to camp for his country.
He is hungry for another taste of Socceroos action after a bright cameo in Macedonia.
“It's whetted the appetite a lot and I am going to work hard to get more caps and hopefully get in again and score some goals for the Socceroos," Ikonomidis said.
As Australia gears up for its Russia 2018 campaign with a FIFA World Cup qualifier on 16 June 2018, Ikonomidis added: “I would definitely love to be a part of that… fingers crossed.
“The whole 10 says in camp was just an awesome experience. I think I showed Ange (Postecoglou) and the other boys what I can do, mostly in training in the small sided games – and it was just great to get my foot in the door.
“Coming from training with Lazio's first team where you have players like Miroslav Klose, Felipe Anderson and Antonio Candreva it wasn’t so much of a step up and it wasn’t too hard for me to adjust, other than a few nerves in my first session.
“But after that I felt at home straight away and it wasn’t too big a shock. I am working hard now to try and get some game time between now and the end of the season in Serie A.
“I feel I am ready and I think the club is ready too – hopefully it's only a matter of time before it starts happening.”
