Chapman joined the Reds’ academy on a two-year scholarship deal in January after a successful trial.
The 16-year-old Victorian has already made a fast start to life in south Yorkshire, bagging a goal for the club’s Under-18s in February against Crewe Alexandra and then a brace against Nottingham Forest.
Chapman, who was born and raised in Geelong, is enjoying life at Barnsley and is out to make his name at the side where fellow Aussie Kenny Dougall is a first-teamer.
The forward landed at the Reds after trialling for Premier League club Wolverhampton.
“It all stemmed from a tournament I played in 2019,” Chapman explained to The World Game.
“Someone watching knew a contact in Queensland, who knew a contact in England. They asked for some video of me, which we sent through.
“Then I had a trial at Wolverhampton in June. They liked me, I was there for three weeks. They didn’t have a space in their academy but they said you deserve a place in England.
"Then I had the trial at Barnsley. It was awesome to sign with them. It’s what I wanted to do and what I’ve wanted since I started playing football at the age of three or four.”
Despite often being a yo-yo club between the Championship and League One, Barnsley are known as a great production line of talent in the UK.
In the past decade the club’s academy has produced the likes of Manchester City defender John Stones, Everton centre-back Mason Holgate and Aston Villa defender James Bree.
Chapman is hoping to follow that path and has already featured for the Reds’ Under-23s.
“It’s a good pathway to play professionally,” he said.
“Barnsley have been really good. It has been a bit different, going from semi-pro to professional.
“It’s been six days a week training, playing, the gym – but I’m loving it. It’s been awesome to score goals in my first few games. Awesome to go and play, but to contribute as well and do my job.
“It’s been a big plus and boosted my confidence. They’re football-mad in Barnsley. Its not a big place, so their football club is one of the biggest things they’ve got.”
Chapman returned to Australia in March because of the coronavirus outbreak, but hopes to go back to the UK as soon as the situation improves.
A junior with Geelong Rangers, the striker spent some time with Melbourne Victory’s youth team as a youngster but has always harboured an ambition to chance his arm in Europe.
“I’ve always wanted to play overseas,” he said.
“I was with the Melbourne Victory academy for a bit as a train-on. When I was 14, 15 I was with the under-18s. But I finally got my break overseas.
“My dad’s from England, which helped. I’ve got a British passport.
“I got back to Australia on March 20 and am planning to come once everything goes back to normal. I’ve got a program from the club to keep my fitness up.
“The break at the moment isn’t convenient for everyone obviously, it will be good to get back and going again.”
