Football Victoria congratulates Gianluca Iannucci (Melbourne City FC), Birkan Kirdar (Melbourne Victory FC) and George Stamboulidis (Extremadura UD, Spain) who have all been selected for the Young Socceroos Talent Identification Camp held in Netherlands.
As part of the development tour, the Young Socceroos will play friendly matches against;
18th of February - FC Utrecht U-19
22nd of February - AFC Ajax Amsterdam U-19
25th of February - FC Twente U-19
We would like to congratulate all the clubs and coaches that have supported these players along their journey!
Iannucci, originally from Cobram in regional Victoria, came through the Cobram Junior Soccer Association and the Cobram Soccer Club before moving into the NPL Competition with Goulburn Valley Suns FC.
Gianluca then joined Football Victoria’s (FV) state and National Training Centre (NTC) Program. He went onto represent Victoria at the National Youth Championships (NYC) and National Training Centre (NTC) Challenge. Gianluca then joined FC Bulleen Lions before moving to Melbourne City where he has been playing for the last three years.
Birkan Kirdar played as a sub-junior for Essendon Royals SC , Hume City FC and FC Bulleen Lions before being identified for the FV state programs playing in the NPL competition. Birkan went on to represent his state at both the National Youth Championships (NYC) and National Training Centre (NTC) Challenge. He spent one year at Whittlesea Ranges before moving to Melbourne Victory FC where he has been playing for the last three years, making his debut in the AFC Champions league match against Shanghai SIPG F.C.. Birkan also represented the Australian U17 Joeys at the recent U17 World Cup in Brazil.
George Stamboulidis began his football club journey at FC Bulleen Lions in the small side football program from U7 to U10’s. He was then identified for FV’s Skill Acquisition Program that he participated in from U9 to U12’s. George moved to Northcote City FC where he played from U11’s to U18’s and was also identified at U15’s for the FV NTC Futures program.
While at Northcote City FC, George continued his development in the FV Talent Identification and Development Centre (TIDC) program at U16 and U17’s. George’s next step saw him join Heidelberg United FC in the U20’s competition, while also training with Melbourne City FC before moving to Extremadura UD in Spain.
The football journey of these players is a testament to the collaboration between Regional Clubs/Associations, NPL Clubs, A-league Clubs and Football Victoria Talented Player Programs.