Teenage Sydney FC midfielder Ryan Teague is set to move to a top-flight European club after the Sky Blues accepted a substantial six-figure transfer offer.

The Joey’s captain, who led his country at the recent under 17’s World Cup in Brazil, will join his new side immediately, with the club sitting in the top half of their current division.

Teague won Sydney FC’s McDonald’s Rising Star Award last year and joined the Sky Blues Hyundai A-League squad at the start of the 2018/19 season.

“I’ve had four fantastic years at Sydney FC since I joined the Academy at its inception in late 2015,” said Teague.

“The development I’ve received from our Technical Director Kelly Cross, the coaching staff and the high performance team has been first class.

“Being part of the Hyundai A-League set up over the last 18 months has also been amazing and I feel my game has gone to another level because of that.

“This is a great opportunity ahead and I’m thankful to the club for allowing me to pursue it.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge of living and playing in Europe and I’m sure my development at Sydney FC will stand me in good stead,” he said.

Ryan Teague enters the pitch for his Hyundai A-League debut. Photos by Jaime Castaneda (@jamcas50)

Kelly Cross first identified Ryan in 2013 as an 11-year old and made him a prime recruitment target two years later when the Sydney FC Academy began.

Teague turned 18 years old this month and Head Coach Steve Corica congratulated him on the move.

“It’s a fabulous move for Ryan and one he thoroughly deserves,” he said.

“He has progressed through our Academy ranks very quickly and has always been earmarked as a player for the future.

“Hopefully he achieves his potential and we see him become a top player in Europe and for the Socceroos, at which point I’ll be delighted to say Sydney FC had a part to play.”

Teague made one appearance for the Sydney FC Hyundai A-League team, making his debut against Brisbane Roar in the Sky Blues 5-1 win in December 2019.

Sydney FC Hyundai A-League 2020/21 Squad List

1. ANDREW REDMAYNE

2. PATRICK FLOTTMANN

3. BENJAMIN WARLAND

4. ALEX WILKINSON

5. ALEX BAUMJOHANN

6. RYAN McGOWAN

7. MICHAEL ZULLO

8. PAULO RETRE

9. ADAM LE FONDRE

10. MILOS NINKOVIC

11. KOSTA BARBAROUSES

12. TRENT BUHAGIAR

16. JOEL KING

17. ANTHONY CACERES

18. LUKE IVANOVIC

19. CHRIS ZUVELA

20. TOM HEWARD-BELLE (GK)

21. HARRY VAN DER SAAG

23. RHYAN GRANT

26. LUKE BRATTAN