Luke Brattan discusses his potential move to Manchester City and his role with the Socceroos.

What a coup for Socceroo midfielder Luke Brattan to be signed by one of the powerhouses of English – and world – football in Manchester City.

It ‘s been quite a year for Brattan, who caught the eye of Liverpool in a July pre-season friendly, was called up to the Socceroos in August and now has inked a four-year deal with the two-time EPL champions, and was promptly loaned out to Championship club Bolton Wanderers.

At 25, Brattan is approaching the peak of his career. A holding midfielder, his game seemingly has it all.

Not only technically gifted and an accurate, astute passer, he’s also adept at breaking up attacks and isn’t shy to put his foot in.

Last season with Roar – while not hugely successful as a team in the Hyundai A-League – was among Brattan’s most consistent. His stats make for some impressive reading.

In 24 appearances during the 2014/15 campaign, Brattan finished second in the competition for passes (1597) at an impressive 83 percent accuracy rate.

 

He made 68 tackles, 29 clearances and 67 interceptions in the middle of the park, while his set-piece delivery was another feature of his season.

Brattan also impressed Liverpool scouts during Roar’s pre-season friendly against the Reds earlier this year and is just a small snap-shot of why City signed him.

While his addition to the world-class City squad may have raised a few eyebrows, this is something Brattan has been building towards for some time.

“Bratts” made 91 appearances in five seasons in the first-team squad at Brisbane Roar, winning three Hyundai A-League championships in that time.

While he was born in Hull and move to Queensland at a young age, Brattan has been working his way to get a career back abroad ever since (his Dad Gary is also a former player in the old NSL, which no doubt helps).

Luke began his youth career at Rochedale Rovers, in the Brisbane suburb of Priestdale, before eventually being spotted and signed in the youth set-up at Roar.

Brattan made eight appearances for the Australian under-20 squad in 2008-09 but is yet to make his full international bow with the Socceroos.

But that could change soon having received his first-call up to Ange Postecoglou’s squad in August and has been in the set-up for the last three FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

And that was before he had his club future settled. Now he’s signed with a massive club and should be getting some consistent football in the Championship with Bolton, who are managed by former Celtic boss Neil Lennon.

It’s going to be some journey for Brattan over the next couple of years if he can become the next Aussie to feature prominently in the EPL.

Football Federation Australia

Socceroo midfielder signs with Manchester City

Former Brisbane Roar midfielder Luke Brattan has signed a four-year deal with Manchester City.

 

Socceroos midfielder Luke Brattan has secured his dream move to EPL giants Manchester City.

Reports emerged on Monday night (AEDT) the ex-Brisbane Roar playmaker has joined City on a four-year deal.

The 25-year-old has immediately been loaned out to Championship club Bolton Wanderers until January 3 next year.

Brattan, who was born in England, spent five years with Roar, winning three Hyundai A-League championships.

He had been on the lookout for a new club after opting to leave Brisbane before the new A-League season in search of a move abroad.

And he has achieved his goal, joining one of the biggest clubs in world football.

The deal is a huge boost to Brattan, who will be hopeful of being included in the upcoming Socceroos squad for next month’s World Cup qualifiers against Kyrgyzstan and Bangladesh.

Football Federation Australia

Socceroo’s ‘unbelievable’ chance at Manchester City

Socceroo Luke Brattan says his rumoured move to Manchester City would be “unbelievable” and describes the club’s training facilities as out of this world.

Brattan is still without a club after deciding to leave Hyundai A-League club Brisbane Roar in search of a move abroad.

EPL powerhouses City – parent club of Melbourne City – have been linked with the clever midfielder in what would be a massive move for the 25-year-old who starred against Liverpool in a July friendly in Brisbane.

 

“It’s tough. Obviously it’s been out there that I’m going [to Manchester City]. I can’t shy away that they’re in the mix but we’re still talking to a few other clubs,” Brattan told Fox Sports.

“I’m training there with the Academy team and it’s unbelievable. The set up there, the players they have.

“If it was to happen that I did sign there it would be great. I never thought five years ago I would be in the spot that I am now.

“I’m grateful for it and I won’t take anything for granted.”

 

It’s understood if Brattan does seal his dream move to City, he will immediately be loaned out to either a Championship or League One club to gain experience in English football.

“I don’t really care where I play, I just need to play games,” he said.

“Ange [Socceroos boss Ange Postecoglou) is all about form and playing regular games and long term I want to be in the Socceroos.

“It’s a privilege to be here every camp and I’m not taking any minute for granted. I’m going to enjoy every second here and hopefully the club sorts itself out.”

 

Brattan is currently in camp with the Socceroos, preparing for Friday morning’s (AEDT) vital FIFA World Cup qualifier against Jordan in Amman.

Having developed his game under Postecoglou at Roar, Brattan is relishing working with his old boss again for the national team.

Asked if that relationship could help him get a start against Jordan, Brattan said: “Not really. The talent that’s in this squad at the moment, anyone in the squad can start.

“Ange has made big decisions in the past and he’s not afraid at doing that. That’s what makes him a great coach.

“I’ll be preparing like I’m going to start. If it happens, it happens but I’m just going to take every opportunity I can.”

 

Football Federation Australia

 

Speculation mounts on Luke Brattan’s future as Melbourne Victory strengthen depth

September 27, 2015 – 7:00PM

Michael Lynch

Senior sports reporter with The Age

Luke Brattan made it clear when he walked out of the financially challenged Brisbane Roar as a free agent that he felt his future lay in Europe. Photo: Getty Images

A-League clubs will be carefully monitoring the future of Socceroos squad member Luke Brattan if the former Brisbane Roar midfielder does sign for Manchester City as speculation intensifies that he will join the English Premier League champions.

Not that Brattan is expected to play for the Mancunians even if he does join them.

It is widely expected that if signed as a free agent – with no transfer fee – he will be lent to another club.

Melbourne City, which is owned by Manchester City, has indicated that there is no plan to lend the Socceroos squad member back to them, as some media have reported is a possibility.

Brattan made it clear when he walked out of financially challenged Roar as a free agent that he felt his future lay in Europe.

It is more likely that he would be lent to a club in The Championship so that he could develop his game and become attuned to the pace and physicality of football in England.

However, until Brattan’s future is settled, rival A-League teams will be keeping a close eye on his movements.

Meanwhile Olyroo defender Giancarlo Gallifuoco is set to begin with Melbourne Victory this week.

In reports from England late last week Gallifuoco was said to have joined Victory, though the club has so far made no official comment.

However the player, who was released at the end of last season by Premier League club Swansea City, tweeted  late last week that he was at Heathrow and on his way to begin his new adventure, illustrating his tweet with an Australian flag.

The centre-back helped Swansea win the Under-21 Premier League title last season and also had a spell at Tottenham as a youngster. He was named by Aurelio Vidmar last week in the Olyroos squad for friendlies against South Korea in early October.

The Canberra Times.

Socceroos midfielder Luke Brattan linked with english premier league giants Manchester City

According to reports, new Socceroo midfielder Luke Brattan could be on the verge of joining English Premier League giants Manchester City.

Brattan, who was granted a free transfer out of Hyundai A-League outfit Brisbane Roar due to the club’s financial situation, is reportedly on his way to the UK to secure a move.

“I’ll meet up with my agent [Ritchie Hinton from The Pitch Management] when I get to England and he’ll go over some things with me,” Brattan told The Courier Mail newspaper.

“City is a massive club and this will be a once-in-a-lifetime chance.”

It’s understood Brattan, one of the most admired midfielders in the Hyundai A-League in recent seasons, would sign with the current EPL leaders before being loaned out to another club.

Brattan caught the eye of Liverpool during their pre-season tour of Australia when they faced Roar at Suncorp Stadium in July.

Brisbane lost 2-1 but Reds boss Brendan Rodgers said after that game: “The controlling player, 18 [Brattan] sat in and controlled the game and gave us a wee bit of a problem in the first half in terms of when to press them and when not.”

 

And this week, 25-year-old English-born Brattan was named in a 23-man Socceroos squad for next month’s World Cup qualifier against Jordan.

He was also called up to the national team squad for qualifiers against Bangladesh and Tajikistan earlier this month.

Brattan’s Opta stats reveal he was made 1597 passes in 24 games last season for Brisbane, the highest at the club by far.  And he won 72.1% of his tackles.

And according to the report, it seems Roar have found their replacement for Brattan, with the club linked with former Spain under-21 international Corona.

It’s understood the 34-year-old had a medical in Spain on Tuesday ahead of inking a deal with the three-time Hyundai A-League champions.

Corona, whose full name is Miguel Angel Garcia Perez-Roldan, has played most of his career with Spanish club Almeria, making more than 300 appearances for the club.

Football Federation Australia

Socceroos: Luke Brattan determined to achieve European dream

September 6, 2015 – 1:52PM

Michael Lynch, Dushanbe

You’ll never ever know if you never ever go.

It used to be an old slogan used by federal government tourism chiefs to persuade Australians to visit their own outback and see their own country.

But it’s a motto that Brisbane midfielder Luke Brattan has adopted – only in his case with Europe as the destination – in the hope that his career might take him to unexpected levels.

Brattan, a late call-up for Ange Postecoglou’s Socceroo squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Bangladesh and Tajakistan, was latterly of Brisbane Roar, the financially challenged former A-League champions whose future is now up in the air.

The English-born player invoked his right to quit the club as a free agent because of non-payment of superannuation and other benefits and although Roar has appealed against his move, Brattan is hopeful that his call-up to national team colours will prove the circuit breaker to help him leave Queensland and find a club in Europe.

There could hardly have been a better time for him to join the Socceroos squad.

“I have enjoyed it thoroughly, I was a little bit nervous coming in to camp but the boys have been great, very welcoming. I couldn’t have asked for a better playing group to join.

“It was good for me to get out, it was perfect timing. I have been upfront all along with John (Brisbane coach John Aloisi) and Moorey (football manager Craig Moore) and they have been great about the whole thing.

“It’s not the football, it’s the other side of the club that needs sorting out. This camp couldn’t have come at a better time just to get my mind off things and concentrate on football.”

Brattan’s father Gary was a Yorkshireman who played with Hull and Cambridge in England’s lower leagues before moving to play with Heidelberg in the Australian NSL when Hull-born Luke was just six months old.

But the family moved up to Brisbane when Brattan was two,and he has developed in Queensland to the point where he is one of the A-League’s most highly regarded holding midfielders.

While he is looking for a route to Europe, it’s not something he is bothered about while the team is preparing for Tuesday night’s qualifier against the Tajiks in troubled Dushanbe.

“I haven’t heard from my agent since I have been in camp. I told them I don’t want to hear anything until I finish the camp. I have had a couple of sniffs from Europe and that’s where I want to progress and test my game.”

Last year Brattan was linked with English Championship club Brighton. Having a European passport is a huge advantage and Brighton are thought to be interested in him again.

While a move overseas to a higher level league would help him pursue a place in the Socceroos midfield – one of the most hotly contested spots where there is strength in depth and plenty of competition – he doesn’t necessarily believe that staying in the A-League inhibits anyone’s chances.

“Look at Matty McKay (the Roar captain and Socceroo stalwart). He’s a veteran and he’s in the A-League. So is Aaron Mooy, there are a couple of others too and that’s a credit to the A-League at the moment.

“Look at the players in the midfield at the moment. Millsy’s (Mark Milligan) an unbelievable player, he has been massive for Victory over the past  years, Mile (Jedinak) is the captain, it’s a tough position to crack, but I think I have just got to concentrate on training well and surrounding myself with the great players that are here and improving my game.

“Of course there will be players in Europe playing at a different level, but I think the A-League is getting that good it doesn’t really matter.”

Still, his sights are firmly set on Europe.

“Of course, it’s been a dream since I started playing when I was five, watching the Premier League on TV and all the European leagues and it’s a life goal. I just want to test myself. If I go over there and I can’t make it at least I have given it a try.

“I don’t want to regret not at least trying.”

The Canberra Times

Luke Brattan says he is excited to be part of the Socceroos set-up under former mentor Ange Postecoglou.

New Socceroo Luke Brattan is relishing linking with his former A-League mentor at Brisbane Roar FC Ange Postecoglou as the midfielder eyes a potential debut for the national team in Perth on Thursday night.

After a spate of injuries to key Socceroos, the Brisbane Roar star was a late call-up to the squad.

The Socceroos play Bangladesh on Thursday night at nib Stadium then head to Dushanbe to take on Tajikistan on Tuesday night in 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Qualifiers™.

It is the first time Brattan has received a call-up to the national side, with the 25-year-old keen to test himself at international level.

“[I’m] very excited, it was a late call up. I just can’t wait to start training with the boys and work under Ange again,” Brattan told FFA TV in Perth.

“The football they [the Socceroos] play is very attractive. The way they went in the World Cup was great as well.

“I think they surprised a lot of people but that’s the way Ange coaches. He demands the best and I’m looking forward to it,” said Brattan, who impressed Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers after Roar’s July friendly against the Reds at Suncorp Stadium.

 

Brattan holds fond memories of playing at Perth’s nib Stadium. It’s where he made his Hyundai A-League debut under Postecoglou at the end of 2009.The English-born midfielder was a late substitute in a 1-1 result against Perth Glory, with the former Rochedale Rovers junior revealing he had little time to impress his new boss.

Brattan, who has spent the last seven seasons at Brisbane Roar, went on to hail the influence Postecoglou has had on his career, which looks to be headed in a new direction.

“I was at the club when he first came and my contract was a bit up in the air,” said the midfielder.

“He said you’ve got a week to prove yourself and then he agreed on the contract I was offered by Frank [Farina] and from then on he’s just been a massive part of my career.

“I learnt a lot in the three years he was there and obviously we were very successful.”

The former Young Socceroo warned that the Asian Cup champions cannot afford to be complacent against the 170th ranked Bangladesh on Thursday night.

“You don’t really know too much about them so that’s always dangerous. They could come out and surprise a lot of people,” he said.

“We can’t go into the game thinking it’s going to be easy cause that’s when it could backfire.”

Football Federation Australia

Socceroo stars train in Perth: report

Tim Cahill, Tom Rogic and Nathan Burns were three of the stars who took part in the Socceroos’ first training session in Perth on Monday.

The Asian Champions are preparing for Thursday’s FIFA 2018 World Cup Russia™Qualifier against Bangladesh.

Monday’s session was held on the pristine surface at nib Stadium, the venue for the clash against the 170th-ranked AFC nation.

With a number of the squad still in transit or having just arrived from overseas, only 10 players took part in the predominantly light session.

The Socceroos who trained were Tim Cahill, Mark Milligan, Matt McKay, Matthew Spiranovic, Nathan Burns, Tarek Elrich, Ben Halloran, Aaron Mooy, Tom Rogic and Luke Brattan.

After a warm-up, both Rogic and Brattan moved away from the main group to work on the side of the pitch with trainer Craig Duncan.

The pair did a light session for about 20 minutes, consisting mainly of jogging with and without the ball, juggling and a few other simple drills.

The rest of the squad immediately went into an intense session taken by assistant coach Ante Milicic.

The first drill saw them split into groups of four, playing a game of possession with 3 v 1.

“Don’t stop the ball. Keep it moving. Quicker,” was the instruction.

With coach Ange Postecoglou overseeing it all, the players then moved into a more structured drill, with the emphasis on crisp passing as they moved and passed around poles.

Good touches, ball speed and correct body-shape was the focus as the intensity lifted as the session took shape.

After just half an hour the session was over as the players assembled for a stretch down and drink before it was up the tunnel to the changerooms.

While it was a quick session to get the cobwebs out for the squad, things will pick up on Tuesday as the rest of the players join the squad.

Tuesday’s session is sure to be special as hundreds of supporters will be let into nib Stadium for a fan day, able to watch the session and afterwards meet their heroes.

Socceroo Match Details

Australia v Bangladesh ​​​​​Tajikistan v Australia

3 September 2015     ​​​​​8 September 2015 

nib Stadium, Perth ​​​​​Republican Central Stadium, Dushanbe

7pm (AWT) kick off (9pm AEST)​​​​6pm kick off (10pm AEST)

TICKET INFORMATION (Australia v Bangladesh)

Tickets can be purchased for the match at www.socceroos.com.au/tickets

Ticket Prices – General Public 

Category A – $120 all tickets

Category B – $80 Adult, $60 Concession, $40 Child, $199 Family

Category C – $55 Adult, $40 Concession, $30 Child, $140 Family

The Shed – $55 Adult, $40 Concession

Active Area- $65 Adult, $50 Concession

Ticket Prices are inclusive of GST & Booking Fee. Transaction and credit card charges apply.

Concession (Pensioner, Student)

Pensioner Concession Card holders and Seniors Card holders (valid ID required)

Student – Full time tertiary and secondary school students (valid ID required)

Child – 4–16 years inclusive (children 3 years and under are free unless they are occupying a seat)

Family Definition – 2 Adults and 2 Children or 1 Adult and 3 Children

National Companion Card Accepted

Football Federation Australia

Ange Postecoglou makes changes to Socceroo squad

Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou has today made three changes to the squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Bangladesh on Thursday 3 September at nib Stadium in Perth.

Mile Jedinak, Tomi Juric and Robbie Kruse have been ruled out of the match and will be replaced by Italian based attacker Chris Ikonomidis, striker Ben Halloran and Brisbane Roar midfielder Luke Brattan.

Jedinak suffered a hamstring injury playing for Crystal Palace while Kruse and Juric have been recovering from recent injuries.

“Mile picked up a hamstring injury that will keep him out for a short period of time so he won’t be making the trip for the games against Bangladesh and Tajikistan,” Postecoglou said. “Tomi (Juric) and Robbie (Kruse) have had recent injuries and after speaking to our medical staff we believe they are better served staying with their clubs to regain match fitness and not undertake the travel so they are available for matches in the next window.

“It gives Chris, Ben and Luke Brattan a great opportunity to come into the group and impress.

“The Players will start arriving into Perth on Sunday night as we prepare for two important matches during this stage of World Cup Qualification.”

MATCH DETAILS

SOCCEROOS V BANGLADESH

Thursday 3 September 2015

nib Stadium

Kick off at 7.00pm (gates open at 5.30pm)

The Socceroos v Bangladesh match will be broadcast exclusively LIVE on FOX SPORTS 4 (channel 505) and on a one hour delay on SBS.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier – Socceroos v Bangladesh is proudly supported by the State Government through Tourism Western Australia.

TICKET INFORMATION (Australia v Bangladesh)

Tickets can be purchased for the match at www.socceroos.com.au/tickets

 

Football Federation Australia

Team of the Week | Round 24

Monday, 24 March 2014 6:00 PM

In a round when 16 goals were scored and there were also some stellar defensive efforts, it was a tough task narrowing down the Team of the Week, especially at the pointy end of the pitch which is why this week’s formation is a 3-5-2. But it has to be done and there can only be eleven so see if you agree or not with this selection.

Player of the Week: Marcelo Carrusca

In what was pitted as a battle of the number 10’s, Carrusca put on a master class to overshadow the presence of Alessandro Del Piero at Coopers Stadium on Friday night. The Argentine was instrumental in the Reds’ win, pulling the strings in the front half of the pitch, which included a sublime ‘thread of the needle’ through ball for Fabio Ferreira’s opener. The mouth watering prospect of watching Del Piero, Carrusca and Thomas Broich in the same All Stars team against Juventus in August would be worth the price of admission in itself. Apologies to Carrusca’s team mate Fabio Ferreira who could also have found himself vying for Player of the Week honours.

Goalkeeper

Lawrence Thomas (Melbourne Victory): It’s not often a keeper from a losing side receives the plaudits of TOTW selection but if not for Lawrence Thomas, the Premiers Plate would arguably have been decided well before the 92nd minute. Since being instated by Coach Kevin Muscat, the young keeper has had his share of knockers, particularly from some of Victory’s own legion of supporters, but he has held his own in both the A-League and ACL, and reeled off a number of clutch saves in a pressure cooker at Suncorp Stadium to ensure the Victory remained in with a chance to snatch the points.

Defenders

Jerome Polenz (Western Sydney Wanderers): Polenz has built a reputation of being an ultra tough competitor who thrives on the contest and yesterday was no exception. Again proving to be a formidable defensive force, Polenz was also the one that put the Wanderers on their way to another win at home as he scored his team’s opening goal.

Adrian Leijer (Melbourne Victory): His team may have been on the receiving end due to a stoppage time stunner, but Leijer’s performance against the Roar was worthy of high praise. A man who was scheduled to still be sidelined after suffering severe facial fractures, Leijer’s resoluteness to keep the Roar out was heroic.

Kew Jaliens (Newcastle Jets): Since signing a contract extension with the Jets beyond this season, the Dutchman has stepped up his game again and he was a chief instigator in Newcastle’s third clean sheet from four games. If that was not enough, Jaliens’ involvement in Newcastle’s forward forays caused further headaches for Wellington and allowed the Jets’ strike force to inflict the damage on the scoreboard.

Midfielders

Orlando Engelaar (Melbourne Heart): That goal! It may seem shallow to include someone in the TOTW purely for one moment of brilliance, especially in a losing side, but how can you not go past one of the most extraordinary, audacious goals ever scored in the Hyundai A-League’s nine year existence. If you don’t believe the Dutchman warrants selection, replace it with either of Mariners duo Nick Montgomery or Anthony Caceres whose discipline and tenacity went a long way to helping the team from Gosford to all three points at AAMI Park just days after returning from ACL commitments in China.

Zenon Caravella (Newcastle Jets): His contribution may not be flashy or stick out to many, but you can be guaranteed it does not go unnoticed by his team mates or his coach Clayton Zane (or those picking the Team of the Week). Caravella’s tireless work in midfield alongside partner in crime Ruben Zadkovich has been pivotal in Newcastle’s push for a top six berth, and it was no more evident than against the Phoenix. Playing a major hand in the Jets winning the midfield battle, Caravella also provided the assist for Adam Taggart’s first goal which ultimately broke Wellington’s back.

Luke Brattan (Brisbane Roar): In a tense and pulsating game between the top two, neither could break the deadlock in the regulation 90 minutes. With a stubborn Melbourne Victory having looked to have postponed Brisbane’s grasp on the Premiers Plate for at least another week, Luke Brattan had other ideas as he produced a goal for the ages with a sublime strike in the second minute of stoppage time to secure top spot and begin the celebrations.

Marcelo Carrusca (Adelaide United): – as above

Seung-yong Kim (Central Coast Mariners): Credit where credits due. After taking some time to find his feet in the A-League, Kim blossomed in the win over the Heart. Arriving in Gosford after playing for some of the biggest clubs in Asia, Kim was always going to receive close attention from the league’s hard-nosed defensive midfielders when he arrived in Australia, but his class shone through at AAMI Park as his composure put the Mariners back on level terms and his influence went a long way to helping them to a valuable three points.

Forwards

Adam Taggart (Newcastle Jets): We can hear some saying, ‘surely not this guy again’, and while it was not his best game, it is hard not to include a player who just keeps on scoring. Another brace on the weekend has seen Taggart go clear top of the Golden Boot race. One thing you can’t doubt is his finishing and potency once he gets half a sniff of a goal, which was highlighted by his two goals against Wellington.

Bruce Djite (Adelaide United): This season Djite might not be up vying for Golden Boot honours, but the work he does up front in holding possession and doing the muscle work against opposing central defensive pairings to allow his wingers and attacking midfielders to flourish has made him a valuable asset to the Reds’ success. His textbook swivel and strike off his non preferred left foot to pierce the net and seal all three points against Sydney FC was just reward for another impressive performance from the Reds’ number 11.

 

Source : Football Federation Australia