Grdic, the son of former Sydney United midfielder Anthony Grdic, is on the books of Druga HNL club Sibenik and has played for the Joeys and Young Socceroos.
Born and raised in Croatia, the 18-year-old is eligible for the green and gold through his father, who was born down under and was a professional with the likes of Hajduk Split and Zhejang Greentown in the 2000s.
Grdic has been headhunted by FFA and in February this year was part of the Under-20s training camp held in Holland. There the tall centre back played in matches against the Under-19s sides of Ajax, FC Utrecht and FC Twente.
In the past Australian football has lost the likes of Josip Simunic and Ante Seric to the Vatreni, but now it has lured one back in the shape of the talented teenage defender.
“Australia for me is number one. I’ve represented Australia three times and Australia is my best choice,” Grdic told The World Game.
“I’ve spent my whole life in Croatia, I’ve never actually lived in Australia. My dad is from Australia, he was born in Sydney. He made a big career and I want to follow in his footsteps.
“We play the same position and I can learn a lot from him. My dad is my biggest inspiration. I think he’s very proud of me.”
Grdic was in the running to play in the 2019 Under Under-17 World Cup with the Joeys, after being involved in several camps before the tournament. But he missed out on the final selection for Trevor Morgan’s team to go to Brazil.
“It was tough,” he admitted.
“I thought I was going to make it but… it’s alright. It just made me work harder. I think I’m happy where I am now.”
Grdic was called into the Young Socceroos camp in Holland earlier this year and enjoyed the experience.
“To represent your country is a proud moment, it’s a big thing,” Grdic said.
“Before I was in two camps with the Joeys, but I didn’t make it to the World Cup squad. It was such an amazing feeing to see some of my mates again.
“I played every game in the camp. I think I did really well. The coaches were happy with me. It was just amazing to play against some big clubs.”
Grdic has come through the junior ranks of Sibenik, playing for the club’s Under-17s and Under-19s. Based in the historic town on the Adriatic Sea, the Narančasti were sitting in top spot in the Croatian Second Football League and poised for promotion into the top flight before the season was abruptly halted.
“Everything’s perfect here,” he said.
“The work of the players, they’re amazing. Croatia is a football country, everyone plays football here and it’s a good place to develop as a young player.
“The club is currently in the second division, but we’re first and we’re going to be promoted this year. So I think as a young player, to be 18 and playing in the Croatian First League will be a big achievement for me.
“My goal is to develop – I don’t want to rush or anything. I just want to develop as a good player and I think this is a good place to be at the moment.
Grdic is closing in on a first-team debut for Sibenik, the club his father once starred for, and continues to train at home while football is shutdown.
“I play with the youth team but I’m training every day with the first-team,” he said.
“I’ve been on the bench for the first-team a couple of times. I haven’t had my debut yet, but I’ve played all the friendly games with the first-team.
“Now everything’s shutdown because of Coronavirus. I’ve been training everyday at home.
“I have a club program, in the morning I run and in the afternoon I do strength work. Basically every day is the same.”
The defender has ambitions to play in Europe’s elite leagues in the future. But for now he is content to hone his craft in Croatia and continue to learn.
“At the moment I want to play for my club, I want to be here for two or three years and play every game as a young player,” Grdic said.
“And then after if I have any chances, I would go to a big club. My biggest goal is to develop, I’m not rushing. I just want to be good.”
