Joel King

Joel Bruce King (born 30 October 2000) is an Australian professional soccer player who plays as a left-back for Sydney FC.

Joel King

Personal information
Full name	Joel Bruce King[1]
Date of birth	(2000-10-30) 30 October 2000 (age 24)[1]
Place of birth	Figtree, New South Wales, Australia
Height	1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)[1]
Position(s)	Left-back
Team information
Current team	Sydney FC
Number	16
Youth career
	FNSW NTC
	Sydney FC
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2016–2017	FFA CoE	29	(0)
2018–2019	Sydney FC NPL	27	(1)
2019–2022	Sydney FC	63	(0)
2022–2023	OB	17	(0)
2023	→ Sydney FC (loan)	13	(0)
2023–	Sydney FC	20	(3)
International career‡
2017	Australia U20	1	(0)
2021–	Australia U23	4	(0)
2022–	Australia	4	(0)
Medal record Men's soccer Representing  Australia AFF U-16 Youth Championship 2016 Cambodia U-17 Team 2015 Cambodia U-17 Team
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 19 May 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 31 October 2022

Club career

Sydney FC

King made his professional debut for Sydney FC in a Round 27 clash against Newcastle Jets, playing the full game in a 2–0 loss at McDonald Jones Stadium.^[2] On 9 May 2019, he signed his first professional contract with the club, penning a one-year deal for the 2019–2020 season.^[3] King cemented his spot in the Sydney team, and started in every game for Sydney during the 2020-21 season with regular fullback Michael Zullo missing the majority of the season with a recurring calf injury. His consistent performances during the season resulted in him winning the 2020-21 Young Footballer of the year award at the end of season awards, becoming the first Sydney FC player to do so.^[4]

Odense Boldklub

On 29 January 2022, it was announced that King had signed with Danish club OB after triggering a six figure release clause.^[5]

Return to Sydney FC

In February 2023, King was loaned back to former club Sydney FC until the end of the 2022–23 A-League Men season.^[6] King made 13 appearances in his loan spell, including starts in an Elimination Final against derby rivals Western Sydney Wanderers and in both leagues of the Semi Final tie against Melbourne City.

In June 2023, King re-signed with Sydney FC on a permanent basis, signing a three-year deal with the club.^[7]

International career

Australian under-23s

King was called up to the Australian under-23 squad for the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics by manager Graham Arnold.^[8] He made his debut in a friendly warm up game for the Olympics against New Zealand in a 0–2 loss. ^[9] King provided an assist for Australia's first goal of the tournament, scored by Lachlan Wales against Argentina in which Australia ran out 2-0 winners.^[10]

Australia

King was called up to the Socceroos squad by manager Graham Arnold for their 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Vietnam as regular left back Aziz Behich was unable to take part. King started the match and put in a good performance with Australia winning 4-0.^[11]

Personal life

King's older sister Taren plays football too, having played in the A-League Women for Canberra United and Newcastle Jets.and the central coast mariners who she is the captain of^[12]

Career statistics

As of 23 November 2024

Club	Season	League			Cup		Continental		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Sydney FC	2018–19	A-League	1	0	0	0	2	0	3	0
	2019–20		26	0	1	0	5	0	32	0
	2020–21		28	0	0	0	—		28	0
	2021–22	A-League Men	8	0	4	0	0	0	12	0
	Total		63	0	5	0	7	0	75	0
OB	2021–22	Danish Superliga	11	0	1	0	—		12	0
	2022–23		5	0	1	1	—		6	1
	Total		16	0	2	1	0	0	18	1
Sydney FC	2022–23	A-League Men	13	0	0	0	—		13	0
	2023–24	A-League Men	20	3	4	0	—		24	3
	2024–25	A-League Men	4	0	1	0	4	0	9	0
	Total		37	3	5	0	4	0	47	3
Career total			129	3	12	1	11	0	153	4

Honours

Club

Sydney FC

• A-League Championship: 2019–20^[13]
• A-League Premiership: 2019–20
• Australia Cup: 2023

International

Australia U17

• AFF U-16 Youth Championship: 2016^[14]

Individual

Sydney FC

• A-League Young Footballer of the Year: 2020–21