Jed Drew Departs Macarthur FC for Austrian Bundesliga, Eyes Socceroos Call-Up

Jed Drew departs Macarthur FC for Austrian Bundesliga

Jed Drew, a rising star in the A-League Men, has secured a move to the Austrian Bundesliga in a bid to boost his chances of a Socceroos call-up. The 21-year-old winger is set to join top-flight side TSV Hartberg, as confirmed by Macarthur FC on Thursday.

Drew's departure comes after a stellar campaign in the Australian domestic league. Since his debut in 2022, he has emerged as a leading figure, topping the league with seven assists and scoring six goals in just 13 matches. This impressive performance has made him a strong contender for a spot in the Socceroos squad.

Drew's transfer to Hartberg marks the third Macarthur player to secure an overseas move during the January transfer window, following Ariath Piol's move to Real Salt Lake and Oli Jones' transfer to Randers. The transfer fee for Drew remains undisclosed.

"My time at the Bulls has been unbelievable," Drew said in a club statement. He expressed his gratitude to the club for giving him his debut and reigniting his passion for the game.

Drew's departure comes amidst a turbulent off-season for Macarthur FC, which has been marred by a spot-fixing investigation involving some of the club's leading players. Former captain Ulises Davila and midfielders Kearyn Baccus and Clayton Lewis have been charged and are due to face court in the coming months.

While Drew was named in court documents related to the allegations, he has not been arrested or charged. NSW Police have stated that he is not considered a suspect in the case.

Despite the off-field challenges, Drew remains optimistic about the future. He praised the current group of players as the best he has worked with and expressed his hope for a future call-up to the Socceroos.

Macarthur FC coach Ante Milic acknowledged the loss of Drew as a significant blow but recognized the opportunity it presents for both the player and the club. He believes that Drew's talent and potential will attract attention from bigger clubs in Europe.

With the World Cup qualifiers against Indonesia and China approaching in March, Socceroos coach Tony Popovic will be closely evaluating potential additions to his squad. Drew's impressive form and European move could make him a strong contender for a place in the national team.