Australian midfielder Luka Prso

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Australian midfielder Luka Prso is out to make a name for himself with both club and country after impressing on his Young Socceroos debut in February.

UPDATEDUPDATED 12 HOURS AGO
BY JOHN DAVIDSON
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Prso is on the books at Slovenian club NK Olimpija Ljubljana after spells in the academies of Bayern Munich and Dinamo Zagreb.

The Sydneysider, who has been based in Europe since the age of 14, grabbed the winner at the Australian Under-20s talent identification camp in their 1-0 victory over FC Utrecht's U-19s in the Netherlands.

Eligible to represent Australia, Croatia and Serbia, Prso was called up to play for Serbia’s Under-15s as a teenager.


But the midfielder, who idolised the likes of Mark Viduka and Harry Kewell as a kid, loved his time with Gary van Egmond’s team and is committed to the green and gold.

“I’m eligible to play for Australia and Croatia, but my heart ever since I was little has been set on playing for my home country, which is Australia,” Prso told The World Game.

“All I can do is my best and see what happens. The Young Socceroos camp was one of the best moments in my football career so far, also in my life.

“It was a huge privilege and a great experience just being in and around one of the Young Socceroos teams. I did really well, so I’m really happy about that.

“I met some amazing people and it was an incredible experience. I wont forget it in a while. Unfortunately I broke my finger in the game against FC Utrecht.

“I was ruled out of the next two games. But I have no regrets obviously – life works in weird ways sometimes.”

Prso was born in Sydney’s west. He started playing for Castle Hill United at the age of seven and then spent four years with the Football NSW Institute.

“I was there until I was 13. That kind of gave me my foundation,” Prso said.

“I learnt a lot, just the basics and stuff, and I made lots of good friends. Then when I was 13 in 2012 I got an invitation to go and trial at Bayern Munich. We were shocked.

“I went with my brother and my dad for a week, they really liked me and said come back, we’re interested in having you here for a few years.

“A year later we moved over with my parents to Germany and then I was waiting for my registration. A few months went by and they said we’re having big issues, you’re an underage player and we’re not going to be able to sign you at this time.

“At that time I only had my Australian passport, I didn’t have any European passport. That was a bit of a disappointing time for me. My family decided the best move would be to go to England.

“I went on trial with Southampton and was with them for six weeks. They accepted me, I really enjoyed being there. I wasn’t under a contract but I was playing week-in, week-out.

“They said they wanted to sign me but said they were also having issues registering me. I thought 'no, not again'.

“I have a Croatian background, my dad was born in Croatia and he had been in contact with Dinamo Zagreb for a while. So they invited me for a trial, we went over and at this time we were trying to finalise my Croatian passport.

“They offered me a two-year scholar contract and I signed it in 2016. I was there for nearly two years and it was an incredible experience there too. I was able to learn from a lot of experienced coaches.

“Then after that Olimpija came into the picture, they offered me a three-year professional deal and they put out a plan for me. So I’m there now and really enjoying football.

“It’s been a journey for me. I’ve learnt a lot. I’ve had a lot of new experiences, which I’m going to cherish for a long time. It’s been amazing.”

Prso’s uncle is Dado Prso, the former forward who played for the likes of Monaco and Rangers in the mid-90s and early 2000s. He also earned 32 caps for Croatia, and the 19-year-old said his relative has been an inspiration.

“I look at his story,” Prso said.

“He was working a regular job up until 22, 23 and then he moved to France and he got into professional football. It’s really inspiring.

“He went on to play for his country and have a good career. He’s been a big inspiration for me.”

NK Olimpija Ljubljana are based in the Slovenian capital and finished second in the PrvaLiga last season.

Prso signed his first professional contract with Zmaji in June after appearing for the Under-19s.

The box-to-box midfielder now wants to crack into the club’s first-team ranks.

“It’s a fantastic little club,” he said.

“There’s a definite pathway for young players trying to get some exposure. I think the environment – the coaching, the people around the club – are really very, very helpful and supportive.

“That was one of the main reasons why I and my family chose to make that move. I still have a little while left on my contract, but there’s quite a bit of interest in me.

“I’m not sure what’s going to happen in the summer transfer window. If I do stay - that is the plan, to crack into that first-team as soon as possible.

"We’ll see what happens. It’s been a good year for me so far.”
 
Aye son your uncle Dado went onto have a ' a good career '
No pressure if you think your talents can give you an excellent career. The innocence and confidence of the youth
 
Surprising that big Dado only got 32 caps for Croatia but I suppose the likes of Boban and Suker would have kept him out the team in his early years
 
Dado’s son Lorenzo plays for Nice in France, he shares his old man’s love for a ponytail:

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