Hull, Asian Cup and the dark arts: Herrington lifts lid on ‘crazy’ rise
Since moving to Hull, Lucas Herrington has become the biggest name in Australian football.
As the only Aussie in the Premier League he was always destined for that title. Throw in the fact he’s 18, and the excitement around his future is palpable.
Lucas Herrington speaks to media. Hull City
Like any teen, the concern will be how he handles the hype.
His manager, Sergej Jakirović, told nine.com.au there’s no chance he will “get crazy”, such is the calm head on his shoulders.
But with hype comes scrutiny and media interest, and on a Thursday afternoon UK time, Herrington sat at Hull’s training ground in front of a screen full of Australian media ready to discuss his rise for half an hour.
To be in the Premier League at 18 he said was “super special”, admitting he still has a lot to learn amid a “pretty crazy” rise.
“For me it’s just about trying to learn as much as possible, from the older boys in the team, and just try and take every game as a lesson, learn from it and to make myself a better player and help the team,” Herrington said.
“It’s been a great experience for me so far, there’s been some top teams that we’ve played, every day I’m just trying to get better, work hard and just help the team as much as possible.”
Herrington’s last 12 months has book ended an incredible rise. There’s been the move from Brisbane Roar to Colorado followed by a Socceroos debut and then World Cup. At football’s global showpiece, he learned about the highs and lows of football, having shown the courage to take a penalty against Egypt, which bent the bar and broke Australian dreams.
Praise for his courage and a phone call from Zlatan Ibrahimović followed before Herrington went home for a week and pushed the reset button.
He then went back to Colorado and played against the stars of the MLS before securing a $33 million move to Hull.
His debut against Manchester United followed, a proud moment for Herrington with his mother and agent, Buddy Farah, in the stands.
Now - with a Carabao Cup player of the match title to his name as well - he’s officially a Hull City man.
Lucas Herrington celebrates Hull’s win over Manchester United on August 22. Getty Images
Next will be more Socceroos duties.
It’s a near certainty he’ll be selected for Australia’s friendlies against Brazil in late September, which would be a homecoming for him in Brisbane.
His earliest memory of Suncorp Stadium was watching the Roar win the title in 2014.
The humble Herrington offered that he’d have to be selected first to make it a “dream come true to play for the Socceroos in Brisbane”.
“It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do and to play in front of hopefully a packed out Suncorp would be a dream,” he said.
“Playing in front of my family and friends would be awesome, so if I’m selected, it’d be a great experience to play a great couple of games against Brazil.”
The Asian Cup will be an interesting watch for Herrington.
It’s difficult to imagine a Premier League club being too happy having a new signing absent for what could be a full month. But the realities of the Asian Cup wouldn’t have been an unknown for Hull.
The competition will take place in Saudi Arabia in January.
Herrington repeated that any chance to represent the Socceroos is special and that “we’ll cross the bridge when it comes to it”.
Herrington was Australia’s youngest player at the 2026 World Cup. Stefan Koops/EYE4IMAGES
For now, he’ll train, play and then say goodbye to his mother, who will leave on Sunday after Hull’s match against Aston Villa.
How many minutes he gets in that match is an unknown.
In both Premier League matches he’s come on as a 60th minute substitute for Nobel Mendy, while starting in the Carabao Cup.
He said an expectation around those minutes hasn’t been set.
“I think it’s obviously just game to game,” he said.
“Obviously two clean sheets has been great for the team, and I’ve been very grateful to be involved in those.
“So I think it’s just about, you know, being patient and just taking every opportunity that comes to me.
“It’s a great group of lads, there’s a great depth in the squad, so it’s good to have positive competition for these spots. It’s what you want in the Premier League, especially. You need it, so I think it’s great for the team, great for the club.
“I think everyone’s just ready to play their part whenever they can, and it’s about me staying patient.”
Throughout this interview, Herrington is consistently asked around what’s changed for him football wise, but then it’s put to him what’s stayed the same.
In essence, it’s all about how to win.
“They’re all very different leagues but in terms of things that don’t change it’s how to win a game whether it’s the dark arts or every team playing differently, so adjusting to teams as they come,” he said.
“We’re not sure how they’re going to set up, so it’s just about adjusting on the fly and being able to do so. I think that’s very important, we do our research during the week, but you never know how a team’s truly going to play.”
Herrington is settling into life in the Premier League. He’s already become accustomed to the luxury cars that line the carpark after a match.
MKM Stadium’s player carpark sits right outside the ground, so there’s no back doors to escape waiting media or fans.
Lucas Herrington takes photos with fans. Lachlan Harper
The teen defender is more than happy to take photos and sign autographs anyway, before heading off.
On his days off he’s explored the surrounding areas of Hull with his mother, who’s been with him for several weeks while he’s settled in.
One thing Herrington hasn’t had to do since moving is sing a new signing initiation song, but he may have to start that tradition himself.
“I actually didn’t have to (do one), I don’t think we have them here, luckily, but I might have to get it installed for the new boys now,” he smiled.
In the end, that could be the legacy he leaves at Hull.
It won’t be the first time he’s left his mark.
At his former school back in Brisbane, Anglican Church Grammar School, also known as Churchies, a match day banner is rolled out at home games featuring a photo of the defender that says “What legacy will you leave?“.
It’s a tradition Herrington wasn’t aware of, and one that makes him smile.
“Obviously, I think a lot of young footballers in Australia like me wake up at all hours of the morning to watch the Premier League,” he said.
“Hopefully, I can make them proud and make Australia proud, and just show the young players in Australia that there is a pathway, keep working hard, enjoy the process, and just have big dreams because dreams do come true like that for me.”
