Zak Gilsenan

Zak Thomas Gilsenan (born 8 May 2003) is a professional footballer currently playing as a midfielder for English club Blackburn Rovers. Born in Australia, he has represented Australia and the Republic of Ireland at youth international level.

Zak Gilsenan
Personal information
Full name Zak Thomas Gilsenan[1]
Date of birth (2003-05-08) 8 May 2003
Place of birth Joondalup, Perth, Australia[2]
Height 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)[1]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Blackburn Rovers
Youth career
Carramar Cougars
Sorrento
2011–2012 Perth Glory
2012–2014 Barcelona
2014–2019 Liverpool
2019– Blackburn Rovers
International career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Australia U17
2019 Australia U18
2021 Republic of Ireland U19 1 (1)

Club career

Born in Joondalup, Perth, Gilsenan started his career with local side Carramar Cougars, before joining Sorrento.[2][3] In 2011, he was scouted and signed by A-League side Perth Glory.[2][4] He attended a two-week training camp organised by English club Tottenham Hotspur, where he was named player of the tournament, and was invited to trial with the north-London side.[2] During the trial, he was scouted by Spanish giants Barcelona, and would go on to move to the Catalonian side in 2012.[2][5]

Despite captaining the Barcelona youth teams, his parents relocated to England after two years in Spain, and Gilsenan would again go on trial, this time with Liverpool.[6] He signed for Liverpool in 2014.[7] He suffered a run of injuries, which eventually ended his spell in Merseyside, and despite interest from Premier League sides, he signed for Blackburn Rovers at the age of sixteen.[6]

He signed his first professional contract with Blackburn Rovers in May 2021.[8] Later the same year, he suffered an ACL injury, which kept him out until June 2022.[9][10]

International career

Eligible to represent both Australia and the Republic of Ireland, Gilsenan has represented both at international level.[11][12] He scored on his debut for the Republic of Ireland under-19s in a 2–2 draw with Sweden.[13]

References
  1. Zak Gilsenan at WorldFootball.net
  2. Walker-Peel, Oliver (20 December 2021). "Zak Gilsenan: Barcelona, Blackburn, Between and Beyond". kick360.com.au. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  3. King, Rhianna (21 July 2012). "Soccer-mad Zak scores top goal". thewest.com.au. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  4. "Zak's ride to Barcelona glory". perthglory.com.au. 10 June 2013. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  5. O'Regan, Mark (23 August 2012). "'I'm moving my family to Barcelona -- so Zak can follow his Messi dream'". independent.ie. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  6. "How Zak Gilsenan – the 'Irish Messi' – slipped through Australia's fingers". theroar.com.au. 7 December 2021. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  7. Jones, Matt (2 December 2014). "Liverpool Transfer News: 'Next Lionel Messi' Zak Gilsenan Reportedly Joins". bleacherreport.com. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  8. Wylie, Jack (25 May 2021). "Two Rovers Teens Turn Pro". lfe.org.uk. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  9. Crooke, Jaqoub (21 October 2021). "Major setback for Blackburn Rovers starlet Zak Gilsenan after he suffers ACL injury". lancs.live. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  10. Sharpe, Rich (28 June 2022). "Darwen FC to host Blackburn Rovers XI in pre-season friendly tonight". lancashiretelegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  11. "Ireland and ex-Barca youngster Zak Gilsenan earns two-year contract at Blackburn Rovers". the42.ie. 21 May 2021. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  12. "Ex-Barcelona teenager Gilsenan commits to Ireland over Australia as he starts recovery from ACL injury". the42.ie. 21 October 2021. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  13. "Report - MU19 2–2 Sweden". fai.ie. 8 October 2021. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
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