Adrian Leijer
{{Short description|Australian soccer player}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Adrian Leijer
| image = Adrian Leijer.jpg
| caption = Leijer playing for Melbourne Victory in 2010
| fullname = Adrian Leijer
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1986|3|25|df=y}}
| birth_place = Dubbo, Australia
| height = {{convert|1.86|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| position = Centre Back
| currentclub =
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 = 2001
| youthclubs1 = Geelong SC
| youthyears2 = 2002–2003
| youthclubs2 = VIS
| years1 = 2003–2004
| clubs1 = Melbourne Knights
| caps1 = 20
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2005–2007
| clubs2 = Melbourne Victory
| caps2 = 38
| goals2 = 1
| years3 = 2007–2009
| clubs3 = Fulham
| caps3 = 0
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2009
| clubs4 = → Norwich City (loan)
| caps4 = 4
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2009–2015
| clubs5 = Melbourne Victory
| caps5 = 135
| goals5 = 6
| years6 = 2015
| clubs6 = Chongqing Lifan
| caps6 = 24
| goals6 = 1
| years7 = 2016–2018
| clubs7 = Suwon FC
| caps7 = 66
| goals7 = 3
| years8 = 2019–2020
| clubs8 = Dandenong City
| caps8 = 15
| goals8 = 1
| totalcaps = | totalgoals =
| nationalyears1 = 2003
| nationalteam1 = Australia U-17
| nationalcaps1 = 11
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2004–2005
| nationalteam2 = Australia U-20
| nationalcaps2 = 10
| nationalgoals2 = 1
| nationalyears3 = 2006–2008
| nationalteam3 = Australia U-23
| nationalcaps3 = 23
| nationalgoals3 = 1
| nationalyears4 = 2008
| nationalteam4 = Australia
| nationalcaps4 = 1
| nationalgoals4 = 0
}}
Adrian Leijer (born 25 March 1986) is an Australian footballer who plays as a centre back.
Leijer played on one occasion for Australia and made over 100 appearances for Melbourne Victory in the A-League.
Club career
=Early years=
Leijer was born, and largely grew up in, the New South Wales town of Dubbo to a family of Dutch and English heritage. He played from Under 10 - Under 14 with SASS Strikers Junior Soccer Club in the Dubbo & District Soccer Association. Whilst with SASS, he represented Western New South Wales and New South Wales Country in football. In 1998, Leijer was a co-captain of Orana Heights Public School in Dubbo.
When Leijer was 15 years old his family moved south to Jan Juc on Victoria's surf coast and attended Belmont High School where he joined Geelong SC and represented the U-15's Victorian Country team. Ian Greener, then Head of Coaching & Development at the Victorian Soccer Federation, spotted his talent and recommended him to the head coach of the Victorian Institute of Sport Football program, Ernie Merrick.
Leijer spent two years at the Victorian Institute of Sport and then moved on to the Melbourne Knights for the last season of the now defunct National Soccer League, where he made 18 appearances during a season where the club finished second last in the competition.
While still training at the VIS, Leijer and his future teammate Kristian Sarkies were selected to trial with Premier League Everton Football Club for three weeks. However, they both failed to impress and returned home to Australia.
=Melbourne Victory=
Upon his return to Australia, he was signed by Melbourne Victory, a team in the new A-League competition. His former VIS coach Ernie Merrick, who had taken the reins at Melbourne Victory, stated; "Adrian is a reliable and uncompromising defender with a football maturity beyond his years. He is already part of the senior leadership group within the club and is the second youngest player in the squad,"
The club's first season was reminiscent of Leijer's time at the Melbourne Knights as Melbourne Victory finished second last overall. Leijer, however, played 20 games for the club, only missing their final game against the New Zealand Knights through suspension. At the end of the season he was awarded the Players' Player of the Year and Clubman of the Year awards.
Melbourne Victory's second season was more successful, starting with seven straight wins and culminating in a 6–0 victory over Adelaide United in the Grand Final. At the A-League's end of season awards, Leijer won Young Player of the Year.
=Fulham=
On 2 August 2007, Melbourne Victory confirmed that English Premier League club Fulham had made a bid for the then 21-year-old. Leijer accepted and signed a 3-year contract for an undisclosed fee.[http://www.theworldgame.com.au/home/index.php?pid=st&cid=92950 Leijer joins Fulham] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009165208/http://www.theworldgame.com.au/home/index.php?pid=st&cid=92950 |date=9 October 2007 }}
Leijer consistently played for the Fulham reserve team throughout the 2007–2008 season and was also included in the squads to face both Liverpool and Reading, but stayed on the bench both times. Following Adrian's return to Fulham after an unsuccessful Olympic campaign with the Australian U/23's team, Leijer returned without having played any games in the Olympic tournament. Whilst tipped by Fulham reserve coach Billy McKinlay to make a greater impact in the first team that season, Adrian missed most of the club's pre-season due to the Olympic tournament and only made the bench once, in a League Cup defeat to Burnley.{{cite news|title=Leijer Exclusive|url=http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2008/february/20/leijer-exclusive|publisher=Fulham Official Website|date=20 February 2008|access-date=16 April 2014}}
=Norwich=
On 2 February 2009, it was announced that Leijer has moved on loan to Norwich City until the end of the 2008–09 season, becoming Norwich City's 40th loan signing since they were relegated in their 2004–2005 season. This loan spell was mostly unsuccessful for Leijer, since it did not result in him seeing a great deal of first team action.
=Melbourne Victory=
File:Melbourne victory - tickling is allowed.jpg in 2011.]]
It was announced that Leijer would return again to Australia during their 2009-10 season, after being re-signed by his former Melbourne Victory for three years.{{cite web|publisher=FourFourTwo Australia|date=21 August 2009|url=http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/110610,victory-bring-back-leijer.aspx|title=Victory Bring Back Leijer|access-date=22 August 2009|archive-date=28 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928040640/http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/110610,victory-bring-back-leijer.aspx|url-status=dead}} Melbourne had suffered shallow defensive stocks with numerous key players unavailable prior to the announcement.{{cite web|work=Fox Sports|date=21 August 2009|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,25960392-23215,00.html|title=Adrian Leijer rejoins Victory}} After a promising start, slotting straight back in to the side hours after landing,{{cite web|publisher=Geelong Advertiser|date=24 August 2009|access-date=8 September 2009|url=http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/08/24/96481_geelong_sports.html|title=Jan Juc's Adrian Leijer flies into winning form for Melbourne Victory}} former captain Kevin Muscat commented on his potential to be a key figure in the club. In February 2011, Adrian Leijer was appointed the captain of Melbourne Victory.{{cite news|publisher=Herald Sun|date=3 September 2009|access-date=8 September 2009|url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,26019529-11088,00.html|title=Muscat replacement looks to lead in future | first=Grantley | last=Bernard}} Leijer was formerly the captain of Melbourne Victory from February 2011 to September 2013.{{cite news| url=http://www.theage.com.au/sport/a-league/milligan-to-captain-victory-in-aleague-20130917-2two1.html | location=Melbourne | work=The Age | title=Milligan to captain Victory in A-League}} On 17 September 2013, Leijer was replaced by Mark Milligan as Melbourne Victory's captain.{{Cite web |url=http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/melbournevictory/news-display/Milligan-to-lead-Victory-forward/75069 |title=VIDEO: Milligan to lead Victory forward - Melbourne Victory FC 2013 |access-date=17 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926002016/http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/melbournevictory/news-display/Milligan-to-lead-Victory-forward/75069 |archive-date=26 September 2013 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}{{cite news | url=http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/socceroo-mark-milligan-confirmed-as-melbourne-victory-skipper-for-2013-2014-a-league-season/story-e6frfkp9-1226720813842 | work=Herald Sun | title=Socceroo Mark Milligan confirmed as Melbourne Victory skipper for 2013-2014 A-League season | date=17 September 2013 | access-date=17 September 2013 | archive-date=26 September 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926215729/http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/socceroo-mark-milligan-confirmed-as-melbourne-victory-skipper-for-2013-2014-a-league-season/story-e6frfkp9-1226720813842 | url-status=dead }}
=Chongqing Lifan=
On 25 February 2015, Leijer transferred to Chinese Super League side Chongqing Lifan.[http://www.melbournevictory.com.au/article/melbourne-victory-confirms-chinese-offer-for-adrian-leijer/898hy92ehonx1kna5dver6j37 Melbourne Victory confirms Chinese offer for Adrian Leijer] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226062418/http://www.melbournevictory.com.au/article/melbourne-victory-confirms-chinese-offer-for-adrian-leijer/898hy92ehonx1kna5dver6j37 |date=26 February 2015 }} Retrieved 25 February 2015
=Suwon FC=
On 2 February 2016, Leijer transferred to K League 1 side Suwon FC.{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/football/a-league/former-melbourne-victory-captain-adrian-leijer-signs-twoyear-deal-with-korean-club-suwon-fc/news-story/6a1dcb097e8c46ff2c614a0805a00e30|title=Former Melbourne Victory captain Adrian Leijer signs two-year deal with Korean club Suwon FC|first=David|last=Davutovic|newspaper=Herald Sun|date=2 February 2016}}
Leijer retired from football in January 2019 to take up a position with Adidas.{{cite news|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/football/a-league/former-melbourne-victory-captain-and-socceroo-adrian-leijer-takes-up-senior-position-with-adidas/news-story/ebe3e4dd7ccbaf5c1bf383ba6390f75c|title=Former Melbourne Victory captain and Socceroo Adrian Leijer takes up senior position with Adidas|publisher=Herald Sun}}
=Dandenong City SC=
During the 2019 mid season transfer window Adrian signed with National Premier Leagues Victoria side Dandenong City SC{{Cite web|url=https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/former-a-league-stars-sign-for-npl-club|title=Former A-League stars sign for NPL club|website=The World Game}} and made his first appearance at the round 14 clash against Avondale FC.
International career
Adrian Leijer's first taste of the senior international scene was when he was selected by Guus Hiddink to train with the Socceroos before the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. After his short training stint with the senior team he continued being selected for Young Socceroos squads. He had previously been a regular member of the Australia national under-23 football team, the Olyroos.
Leijer earned his first cap for the senior Australian national team against Singapore on 22 March 2008.
Career statistics
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National Cup !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="1"|Melbourne Knights
|20 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 20 | 0 | |||||
| rowspan="4"|Melbourne Victory
|20 | 1 | colspan=2|— | 2 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 1{{efn|Appearance in 2005 Australian Club World Championship Qualifying Tournament}} | 0 | 23 | 1 | |||
| 2006–07
|A-League |21 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 6 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 27 | 0 | ||||
| 2007–08
|A-League |0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 2 | 0 | |||
| colspan=2|Total | 41 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 52 | 1 |
| rowspan=2|Fulham
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 0 | 0 | |||
| 2008–09
|Premier League |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 0 | 0 | |||
| Norwich City (loan)
|4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 4 | 0 | |||
| rowspan=7|Melbourne Victory
|A-League |28 | 3 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 5 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 33 | 3 | ||||
| 2010–11
|A-League |28 | 1 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 6 | 1 | colspan=2|— | 34 | 2 | ||||
| 2011–12
|A-League |18 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 18 | 0 | |||||
| 2012–13
|A-League |27 | 2 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 27 | 2 | |||||
| 2013–14
|A-League |20 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 4 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 24 | 0 | ||||
| 2014–15
|A-League |14 | 0 | 3 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 17 | 0 | ||||
| colspan=2|Total | 135 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 153 | 7 |
| Congqing Lifan
|2015 |24 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 24 | 1 | ||||
| rowspan=4|Suwon
|2016 |28 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 29 | 1 | ||||
| 2017
|29 | 3 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 29 | 3 | ||||
| 2018
|K League 2 |9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 9 | 0 | ||||
| colspan=2|Total | 66 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 67 | 3 |
| rowspan=3|Dandenong City
|2019 |National Premier Leagues Victoria |10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 | |||
| 2020
|National Premier Leagues Victoria |5 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 5 | 0 | |||||
| colspan=2|Total | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 1 |
| colspan=3|Career total | 305 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 335 | 13 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
- A-League Championship: 2006–07
- A-League Premiership: 2006–07
- A-League Pre-Season Challenge Cup Championship: 2008
Individual
- A-League Young Footballer of the Year: 2006–07
- Melbourne Victory Players Player of the Year: 2005–06
- Melbourne Victory Clubman of the Year: 2005–06
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{AOC profile|adrian-leijer}}
- {{Olympics.com profile|adrian-leijer}}
- {{Olympedia}}
- {{Soccerway|adrian-leijer/16074}}
- {{NFT player|pid=15179}}
- [http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/melbournevictory/players/Adrian-Leijer/8 Melbourne Victory profile]
- [http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Players/L/LAV.html#LeijerAdrian OzFootball profile]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20110527200244/http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/MensU23/default.aspx?s=aus_u23men_player_profile&pid=880&tid=112 FFA - Olyroo profile]
- {{K League player}}
{{A-League Young Footballer of the Year}}
{{Australia Squad 2008 Summer Olympics}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Leijer, Adrian}}
Category:Sportspeople from Dubbo
Category:Men's association football fullbacks
Category:Australian men's soccer players
Category:Australian expatriate men's soccer players
Category:Australian expatriate sportspeople in South Korea
Category:Australian expatriate sportspeople in England
Category:Melbourne Knights FC players
Category:Melbourne Victory FC players
Category:Norwich City F.C. players
Category:Chongqing Liangjiang Athletic F.C. players
Category:Australian people of Dutch descent
Category:Australian people of English descent
Category:Australia men's international soccer players
Category:Chinese Super League players
Category:Footballers at the 2008 Summer Olympics
Category:Olympic soccer players for Australia
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in China
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in South Korea
Category:National Soccer League (Australia) players
Category:Victorian Institute of Sport alumni
Category:Sportsmen from New South Wales
Category:Soccer players from New South Wales