Brisbane Roar has signed talented Olyroos striker Jamie Maclaren.
The 21-year-old arrived in Brisbane tonight and will begin training with the Roar on Monday in preparation for the club’s match against Liverpool FC on Friday, 17 July, at Suncorp Stadium.
Maclaren is the first major signing by new Roar Head Coach John Aloisi.
Aloisi secured the former Perth Glory player ahead of several other Hyundai A-League clubs who were chasing the gifted central striker or attacking midfielder.
“Jamie is one of the most promising young strikers in Australia at the moment,” Aloisi said.
“He is a genuine goal scorer who is leading the way in the qualifying campaign for the Rio Olympics.
“He is an ideal fit for the attacking way I want the Roar to play this season and I can’t wait to see him on the field in our Orange.”
Maclaren has scored 11 goals in 38 Hyundai A-League appearances for the Glory in the past two seasons including a hat-trick against Melbourne City FC in round 26 on 19 April.
His nine goals in 20 Hyundai A-League games in 2014/15 (only seven of those appearances were as a starter) made Maclaren the competition’s sixth top marksman.
His efforts earned Maclaren the April nomination for the league’s NAB young player of the year award.
Roar striker and fellow Olyroos squad member Brandon Borrello was the March nominee which makes for a potentially formidable young Roar forward line for the Hyundai A-League 11th season in 2015/16.
Maclaren also has toured with the Roar’s Olyroo squad members James Donachie and Corey Brown.
“It feels great to be part of Brisbane Roar,” Maclaren said on his arrival at Brisbane Airport tonight ahead of his first training session tomorrow.
“The Roar have been a strong side for many years now and very successful. For me to join a club with such a great history and a terrific bunch of players, I just can’t wait to get started.”
Maclaren already has had extensive international and overseas experience.
He played twice for the Scotland Under-19s (Maclaren has dual citizenship as his father Donald is Scottish) but was recruited by the Young Socceroos in 2012 and played 17 times for the Australian Under-21s and five times for the Olyroos.
Maclaren has scored a staggering 15 goals in his 22 appearances in the green and gold.
He had a stint in England with Blackburn Rovers and scored a hat-trick against Manchester United in an under-16 fixture between the two clubs.
