Melbourne City FC is excited to announce that Young Socceroo, Harry Shillington, has signed his first professional contract locking him in for the 2024/25 season with an option to extend for a further year.
The promising 19-year-old joined the City Academy in 2017 at the age of 12 and has progressed through the ranks courtesy of his work ethic and determination.
A versatile right-back who can also play at centre-back, Shillington is a physical defender with great strength that allows him to dominate in contested situations. He also enjoys getting forward to join in on attacking phases and showed plenty of desire to do so in his senior debut last season.
After coming off the bench as a late substitute in City’s Australia Cup Quarter Final tie against MetroStars, the teenager bombed forward and earned the decisive penalty as City won the match in the 95th minute.
Melbourne City FC Director of Football, Michael Petrillo, said Shillington had done everything possible to earn a senior contract.
“We are strong in the belief that we have the best Academy in Australia and the talent we’ve seen come through over the last five years clearly demonstrates this.
“Harry has been in our system for a long time. He has strong defensive qualities and is someone we have seen improve year after year thanks to his professional approach and drive to succeed.
“He has all the tools to perform in a first-team environment and I look forward to seeing him take his opportunity this season.”
Highlighting the journey throughout his last eight years at the Club, Senior Academy Manager, Simon Zappia, spoke highly of Shillington’s commitment.
“Harry has been a fantastic role model for his peers. His dedication to improve has been evident with not only the intensity he brings to every training session but also the way he embraces the resources off the pitch with gym, recovery and analysis.”
“I’m ecstatic Harry has earnt this opportunity and am looking forward to him having a big impact with the A-League squad this season.”
Harry Shillington expressed his delight at signing his first professional contract.
“It’s an absolutely surreal feeling to sign for such an amazing Club. A real dream come true.
“I’ve been working towards this moment for a long time, but this is only just the very beginning. I know that I’ll need to work harder than ever before to continue to develop and earn minutes with the first-team.
“I’m driven to become the best footballer I can be and truly believe that being part of Melbourne City is the best way to achieve that. I love this Club and am determined to leave my mark here at City and do everything I can to help bring more success.”
