Paul Okon-Engstler

{{Infobox football biography

|name = Paul Okon-Engstler

|image =

|fullname = Paul Michael Junior Okon-Engstler{{WorldFootball.net|paul-okon-engstler}}

|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|2005|1|24|df=y}}

|birth_place = Ostend, Belgium

|height = 1.86m

|position = Defensive midfielder

|currentclub = Benfica B

|clubnumber =

|youthyears1 =

|youthclubs1 = Marconi Stallions

|youthyears2 = 2018

|youthclubs2 = Western Sydney Wanderers

|youthyears3 = 2019–2022

|youthclubs3 = Club Brugge

|youthyears4 = 2022–

|youthclubs4 = Benfica

|years1 = 2024– |clubs1 = Benfica B |caps1 = 5 |goals1 = 0

|nationalyears1 = 2023–

|nationalteam1 = Australia U20

|nationalcaps1 = 14

|nationalgoals1 = 0

|nationalyears2 = 2024–

|nationalteam2 = Australia U23

|nationalcaps2 = 2

|nationalgoals2 = 0

|club-update = 9 March 2025

|nationalteam-update = 2 March 2025

| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Men's football}}

{{MedalCountry|{{fb|AUS}}}}

}}

Paul Michael Junior Okon-Engstler (born 24 January 2005) is a professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Benfica B in

Liga Portugal 2. Born in Belgium, he has represented Australia at youth international level.

Club career

Born in Belgium while his father, former Australian international soccer player Paul Okon was playing for Belgian Pro League club K.V. Oostende, Okon-Engstler moved to Australia as a child when his father signed for the Newcastle Jets.{{cite web|url=https://teknomers.com/es/paul-okon-engstler-el-talento-australiano-del-benfica-lleva-una-vida-loca-como-un-padre/|title=Paul Okon-Engstler: el talento australiano del Benfica lleva una vida loca como un padre|trans-title=Paul Okon-Engstler: Benfica's Australian talent leads a crazy life like a father|date=20 December 2022|accessdate=6 March 2023|website=teknomers.com|language=Spanish}} He started his career, as his father had, with Marconi Stallions, before moving to A-League side Western Sydney Wanderers. In 2019, he moved back to Belgium, signing with Club Brugge.

While representing Club Brugge at a youth tournament in Portugal, he was spotted by scouts from Benfica, despite Club Brugge's poor performances at the tournament.{{cite web|url=https://sport.optus.com.au/news/socceroos/os45041/football-news-socceroos-paul-okon-junior-benfica-transfer-details|title=Paul Okon Junior joins Portuguese giants Benfica|first=Jake|last=Rosengarten|date=20 July 2022|accessdate=6 March 2023|website=sport.optus.com.au}} He joined the Portuguese club in July 2022, signing a three-year deal.{{cite web|url=https://www.slbenfica.pt/pt-pt/agora/noticias/2022/07/19/futebol-benfica-formacao-paul-okon-contratacao|title=Paul Okon contratado|trans-title=Paul Okon hired|date=19 July 2022|accessdate=6 March 2023|website=slbenfica.pt|language=Portuguese}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20220720_92317742|title=Zoon van assistent Paul Okon verlaat Club Brugge voor Benfica|trans-title=Son of assistant Paul Okon leaves Club Brugge for Benfica|first=Martin|last=Delvaux|date=20 July 2022|accessdate=6 March 2023|website=nieuwsblad.be|language=Dutch}}

International career

Okon-Engstler is eligible to represent Belgium through birth, Australia through his father, and Italy through his mother. He holds Italian citizenship.{{cite web|url=https://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-bwin/benfica/detalhe/italiano-okon-engstler-reforca-equipa-sub-19-do-benfica-clube-lindo-e-historico|title=Italiano Okon-Engstler reforça equipa sub-19 do Benfica: "Clube lindo e histórico"|trans-title=Italian Okon-Engstler reinforces Benfica's under-19 team: «Beautiful and historic club»|date=19 July 2022|accessdate=6 March 2023|website=record.pt|language=Portuguese}}

In September 2022, he was called up to the Australia under-20 team, but did not feature.{{cite web|url=https://www.socceroos.com.au/news/young-socceroos-squad-named-four-continents-tournament-spain|title=Young Socceroos Squad Named for Four Continents Tournament in Spain|date=13 September 2022|accessdate=6 March 2023|website=socceroos.com.au}}

He made his debut for the Australia under-23 team during the 2023 Maurice Revello Tournament.{{cite web|url=https://www.socceroos.com.au/news/olyroos-squad-named-maurice-revello-tournament|title=Olyroos squad named for Maurice Revello Tournament|website=Socceroos|publisher=Football Australia|date=15 May 2023}}

Style of play

A composed, left-footed defensive midfielder, Okon-Engstler is known for his range of long passes, and is capable of starting attacks from deep.{{cite web|url=https://www.theroar.com.au/2022/08/10/paul-okon-jr-following-in-famous-fathers-footsteps/|title=Paul Okon Jr following in famous father's footsteps|date=9 August 2022|accessdate=6 March 2023|website=theroar.com.au}}

Honours

Australia U-23

WAFF U-23 Championship: runner-up 2024{{ cite web|url = https://www.socceroos.com.au/news/subway-olyroos-squad-waff-u-23-championship-confirmed|title =Subway Olyroos’ Head Coach, Tony Vidmar has named an extended 26-man squad for the fifth edition of the West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) U-23 Championship – Saudi Arabia 2024.|publisher=Football Federation Australia|access-date=April 6, 2025}}

Australia U-20

AFC U-20 Asian Cup: 2025{{ cite web|url = https://www.socceroos.com.au/news/subway-young-socceroos-squad-named-afc-u20-asian-cup-china-2025tm|title =Subway Young Socceroos’ Head Coach, Trevor Morgan has selected a 23-man squad to represent Australia at the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2025|publisher=Football Federation Australia|access-date=April 6, 2025}}