Meet the Aussie teen flying at Fulham

Australian defender Riley Warland is adjusting to life at Premier League club Fulham and out to win a spot with the Joeys at this year’s Under-17 World Cup.

Riley Warland

Riley Warland Source: Getty Images

Sixteen-year-old Warland left Perth Glory to sign with Fulham in August last year for an undisclosed fee.

The centre back spent six years with the Glory, playing in the National Youth League and National Premier League WA ranks, as well as being on the first-team’s bench in the A-League three times last season.

But Warland believes his best chance to develop and further his career is in England.

“It was a massive decision for me to leave Glory, at a young age as well,” he told The World Game.

“But I had to think about the long-term as well, rather than the short-term. Perth Glory is my childhood club. Maybe one day hopefully I’ll be back there.

“Its been good, it’s obviously a big change – everything, the culture of the football, the people, the lifestyle, the weather definitely has been a massive part.

“It’s been a life experience. I moved over when I was 15 by myself and turned 16 in July. I’ve had family come and visit me every couple of months. I’ve definitely have a lot of time away from family, which is massive, but you just have to sacrifice.”

Warland explained his opportunity at the Cottagers came about after he was spotted starring in some youth tournaments.

“I was doing well with what I was doing,” he said.

“Fulham saw that at a few tournaments I went to. I was just doing my thing, I wasn’t worried about anything. I’d heard a lot of good things about Fulham and it’s the Premier League, it’s every boy’s dream.

“That’s one of the reasons why I chose Fulham. They’re in the Premier League and I want to chase my dream.

“It’s a really family-orientated club. There’s great staff around you, great people around you. There’s never a dull day here, it’s always very lively. It’s good.

A former ECU Joondalup junior, Warland has played eight times and scored one goal for Fulham’s Under-18s this season. He trains regularly with the Under-23s and, on occasion, with the first-team in south-west London.

The central defender, who can also play at left back and in defensive midfield, admits the step up in standard in the UK from Western Australia has been a big adjustment.

“It’s been massive challenge,” he said.

“The standard over here is a lot higher, because there’s a lot more players here. I’m playing with the Under-18s regularly, I’m training with the Under-23s and with the first-team a times.

“It’s been a huge experience. The level of quality over here is amazing.”

A number of Australians have been on Fulham’s books in recent years including Adam Taggart, Ryan Williams, Cameron Burgess and Mark Schwarzer, as well as assistant technical coach Scott Miller.

Fellow Aussie, 18-year-old midfielder Tyrese Francois, is also currently part of the club’s academy.

Last week Warland was selected in a 20-player Joeys squad to play in a UEFA-hosted tournament in Turkey. Only five-Europe based players were selected in the Australian squad.

The Joeys will use the matches, against Tanzania, Guinea and Turkey, in March as part of their preparation for the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Peru in October. Warland has played for the Australian Under-17s before.

“I go away to Turkey next Thursday for a tournament,” he said.

“I’m definitely stoked with that and that there’s many more to come. All the boys are looking forward to playing in the World Cup.

“Hopefully we can make Australia proud. It’s a massive opportunity for me, a massive platform. Hopefully I can do well and show them why I’m here.”


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4 min read
Published 21 February 2019 8:49am
Updated 22 February 2019 12:57pm
By John Davidson

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