‘Smart move’: Great’s praise for Socceroo as $1.64m move revealed
The first transfer domino for Australia’s Socceroos stars is set to fall with midfielder Paul Okon-Engstler reportedly set to join Bundesliga club FC Koln.
Okon-Engstler only returned to Australia late last week to return to pre-season training with Sydney FC and is now scheduled to make the trip to Germany to undergo the final medical to join Koln, as per football reporter Fabrizio Romano.
Paul Okon-Engstler of Australia in action. Getty
Sydney FC are set to agree to a $1.64m AUD transfer fee for the 21-year-old midfielder, who inked a three-year deal with the A-League team in July last year.
Australian great Mark Schwarzer, who warned the young Socceroos breakout stars to really consider there next move at club level, was excited to hear about the reported transfer for Okon-Engstler.
“I’m excited for him,” Schwarzer said on Stan Sport’s Added Time.
“It is one of those clubs that are big but have massively underperformed time and time again. They’ve just got to get their recruitment right, and I think buying someone like Paul is a really smart move.
“He will go in there, like he did with the Socceroos at the World Cup, and you will think, ‘this guy has been there for a long time’. It looks effortless.
“I don’t think he will be fazed by it, he will just look at home. I think this is a really great and exciting chance for him. If he does well there, there is a good chance he’ll be picked up by one of the bigger and better clubs in Germany.
“I can see that happening because he is just that good of a player.”
Okon-Engstler admitted in an interview published by Sydney FC on Friday that he had yet to fully processed his achievements with Australia at the World Cup.
“I think it will take a long time to process,” he said.
“It was the experience of my life and something I will never forget. To be able to represent my country on the world stage, there is no better feeling.
“I don’t think I can describe the feeling (of playing at the World Cup). It is something that kids dream of, and I am just happy that I was able to fulfil mine.”
Okon-Engstler was born in Belgium and moved to Australia in 2006 after his father, Australian international Paul Okon, joined the Newcastle Jets.
Jackson Irvine subs out for Paul Okon-Engstler. AP Photo/Jeff Chiu
The father-son duo got to share the emotions of the 2026 FIFA World Cup together after Tony Popovic named Okon as part of his coaching staff.
Okon-Engstler is not the only Socceroo that could be on the move in the coming weeks, with Lucas Herrington also weighing up offers around Europe and the UK.
Nestory Irankunda has also gained attraction on the market, although his English Championship club Watford will not let him leave for little money.
