Will Freney
{{Short description|Australian association football player (born 2005)}}
William Freney (born 4 November 2005) is an Australian soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Perth Glory.
Club career
Raised in Elderslie in the suburbs of Sydney, Freney began playing at age 5 for Camden Falcons before joining Marconi Stallions and then the academy of Western Sydney Wanderers.{{cite news |last1=Peacock |first1=Louise |title=From Mini Roo to A-League Star |url=https://camdenfalcons.com.au/minirootoa-leaguestar/ |access-date=28 February 2025 |publisher=Camden Falcons F.C. |date=27 January 2025}}
In June 2024, Freney moved from Macarthur FC's Bulls FC Academy of the National Premier Leagues NSW to a two-year scholarship contract with Perth Glory in A-League Men.{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Ben |title=A-League Men: Perth Glory midfielder Will Freney credits experienced teammates for helping adjustment period |url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/perth-glory/a-league-men-perth-glory-midfielder-will-freney-credits-experienced-teammates-for-helping-adjustment-period-c-17629893 |access-date=28 February 2025 |work=The West Australian |date=6 February 2025}} He made his professional debut on 21 December in a 1–0 win away to Brisbane Roar, as a substitute for David Williams in added time.{{cite news |last1=Morgan |first1=Gareth |title=ALM Match Wrap: Williams goal seals vital victory over Roar |url=https://perthglory.com.au/news/alm-match-wrap-williams-goal-seals-vital-victory-over-roar/ |access-date=28 February 2025 |publisher=Perth Glory FC |date=21 December 2024}} His first start came on 14 January 2025 in a 2–1 home loss to Western Sydney Wanderers.{{cite news |title=Wanderers close in on top six with hard-fought win over improving Perth |url=https://aleagues.com.au/news/perth-glory-western-sydney-wanderers-match-report-goals-highlights-video-2/ |access-date=28 February 2025 |publisher=A-Leagues |date=14 January 2025}} Local newspaper The West Australian judged that he coped well.{{cite news |title=A-League Men: Perth Glory expected to be among the most active clubs during mid-season transfer market |url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/perth-glory/a-league-men-perth-glory-expected-to-be-among-the-most-active-clubs-during-mid-season-transfer-market-c-17394813 |access-date=28 February 2025 |work=The West Australian |date=14 January 2025}}
By February 2025, Freney was one of several young players who had transitioned into the first team at Perth Glory. He credited veterans such as captain Adam Taggart with aiding the step up.
International career
In January 2023, Freney was part of an Australia under-18 and under-19 schoolboys team that played friendlies away to their equivalents from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. He scored in a 2–1 loss in Dublin and a 3–1 win in Belfast.{{cite news |title=International debut and assist for Laois teenager with Republic of Ireland |url=https://www.laoistoday.ie/2023/01/23/international-debut-and-assist-for-laois-teenager-with-republic-of-ireland/ |access-date=28 February 2025 |work=Laois Today |date=23 January 2023}}{{cite news |title=Australia prove too strong for Northern Ireland U18 Schoolboys |url=https://www.irishfa.com/news/2023/january/australia-prove-too-strong-for-northern-ireland-u18-schoolboys |access-date=28 February 2025 |publisher=Irish Football Association |date=23 January 2023}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Perth Glory FC squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Freney, Will}}
Category:Soccer players from Sydney
Category:Australian men's soccer players
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Marconi Stallions FC players
Category:Western Sydney Wanderers FC players
Category:Bulls FC Academy players
Category:Perth Glory FC players