Hayden John Matthews (born 19 June 2004) is an Australian soccer player who currently plays as a central defender for EFL Championship club Portsmouth and the Australia men's national team.
Club career
Matthews was brought into the Sydney A-League Mens side, having been promoted from the National Premier Leagues NSW squad as injury cover for Jack Rodwell and Gabriel Lacerda. He made his debut against Newcastle Jets on 19 January 2024.[3] With limited expectation upon him and fellow youth center half pairing Jake Girdwood-Reich impressed in their performances for the club.[4]
On 27 January 2025, Matthews signed for EFL Championship club Portsmouth for an undisclosed fee, reported to be £1.26 million.[5]
International career
Matthews made his debut for the Socceroos against Bahrain in a World Cup qualifier in November 2024.[6]
Personal life
Matthews has been a life-long Sydney FC supporter.[3][7]
Career statistics
- As of match played 28 January 2025
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | League Cup | Continental | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Sydney FC | 2023–24 | A-League Men | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | 17 | 0 | |
| 2024–25 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | 6 | 0 | 19 | 0 | |||
| Total | 29 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | 6 | 0 | 36 | 0 | |||
| Portsmouth | 2024–25 | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | |
| Career total | 29 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 36 | 0 | ||
References
- ^ "EFL – Squad List 2024/25: Portsmouth – Under 21 Contract Players" (PDF). English Football League. p. 32. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
- ^ "Matthews Signs First Pro Deal". 25 January 2024.
- ^ a b Pisani, Sasha (25 January 2024). "Sydney FC teen completes eight-year journey with first pro deal: 'A coach's dream'". A-Leagues. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
- ^ Montervede, Marco. "Sky Blues young guns ready for challenge of taming star-studded Melbourne City attack". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
- ^ "Hayden Matthews: Portsmouth sign Australia defender from Sydney FC". BBC Sport. 2025-01-27. Retrieved 2025-01-27.
- ^ Moore, Glenn (19 November 2024). "Popovic recalls Ryan for crucial Socceroos WC qualifier". msn.com. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
- ^ "Sydney FC youngster remembers 'unreal' Del Piero". A-Leagues. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
External links
- Hayden Matthews at Soccerway