Mile Jedinak

Mile Jedinak is an Australian professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Premier League club Aston Villa. He is the captain of the Australia national team.

Born on 03 August 1984 in Camperdown, New South Wales, Jedinak has made 76 appearances for the Australian national team and has been captain since 2014. He has represented his nation in two World Cups and two Asian Cups.

Background

Jedinak played youth football with Sydney United before starting his senior career at the club in 2001. He was part of the Sydney United side that won the NSW Premier League title in 2006. He made 84 appearances, scoring twelve times for the Sydney based club.

Debut and International Career

Jedinak made his international debut on 22 March 2008 in a friendly match against Singapore. He was included in Australia's squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and made his first appearance in Australia's opening match against Germany on 13 June.

He scored his first international goal against South Korea at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup. He first led the Australian side in the absence of regular captain Lucas Neill.

He was appointed as the captain of the Australian national team to compete in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. He led Australia to victory in the 2015 AFC Asian Cup.

On 15 November 2017, Jedinak scored a hat-trick against Honduras, helping Australia to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Club Career

Jedinak moved to Central Coast Mariners in August 2006 and was included in their squad for the last ten games of the 2006-07 season, where he made eight appearances. He enjoyed a fabulous 2007-08 season, helping his club to a Premiers’ Plate in the A-League by scoring some spectacular goals. He was the club’s second highest goalscorer in the 2008-09 season.

On December 2008, Jedinak signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with Turkish club Genclerbirligi. He played his first match for Genclerbirligi on 24 January 2009. He made 38 appearances across two seasons for the Ankara based club.

Jedinak moved to England and signed for Crystal Palace in August 2011. He soon became a fans’ favourite at Selhurst Park during the 2012-13 Premier League season. He was handed the captain’s armband as regular captain Paddy McCarthy was injured.

He scored the 89th minute deciding goal in the last match of the season in a 3-2 win against Peterborough United to secure a playoff place for Crystal Palace. He was also voted Crystal Palace’s 2012-13 Player of the Season. He resigned the captaincy prior to the 2016-17 season with 165 appearances for the club.

Jedinak signed a three-year contract with Aston Villa in August 2016 and made his debut on 27 August 2016 in a 3-1 loss against Bristol City.