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Sydney FC teen Mlinaric to trial at Dynamo Kyiv

Sydney FC teenager Anton Mlinaric is set to go on trial for a month at Ukrainian giants Dynamo Kyiv.

Anton Mlinaric in action for Australia at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2019

Anton Mlinaric in action for Australia at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2019 Source: Getty Images

The World Game understands the Ukrainian club are very interested in the 18-year-old centre-back, who starred for Australia at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup last year.

It is believed Dynamo Kyiv have been alerted to Mlinaric, who has yet to make his A-League debut, and his talent by Sky Blues star Milos Ninkovic.

The 35-year-old Serbian spent nine years with the Ukrainian Premier League outfit, making over 150 appearances between 2004 and 2013.

“Kyiv is the biggest club in the Ukraine, they play almost every year in the UEFA Champions League,” Ninkovic said.

“I played there for nine years, it is a top club for youth development and I believe Anton will do very well.”

The World Game understands Sydney FC have consented to Mlinaric going on loan at the NSC Olimpiyskiy in October and November, and petitioned the Australian government to allow the young defender a business exemption to travel to eastern Europe.

If the former Blacktown, St. George and Marconi junior impresses at Dynamo Kyiv, he is expected to be offered a professional contract, with the Sky Blues to receive a transfer fee.

Mlinaric grew up in Sydney’s west, is of Croatian heritage and played all of the Joeys matches in Brazil at the 2019 World Cup.

Most recently, he has been involved in training camps with the Young Socceroos.

This year, Dynamo Kyiv will face Juventus, Barcelona and Ferencvaros in the Champions League group stage.

Sydney FC have been approached for comment.


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2 min read
Published 16 October 2020 11:02am
By John Davidson


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