Michael Zullo

Michael Zullo (born 11 September 1988) is an Australian professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Sydney FC of the A-League.[1]

Michael Zullo
Zullo playing for Brisbane Roar in 2008
Personal information
Full name Michael Anthony Zullo
Date of birth (1988-09-11) 11 September 1988
Place of birth Brisbane, Australia
Height 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
Playing position(s) Left-back
Club information
Current team
 Sydney FC
Number 7
Youth career
Brisbane City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2005–2007 Brisbane Strikers
2007–2010 Brisbane Roar 53 (2)
2010–2015 FC Utrecht 34 (0)
2013–2014 → Adelaide United (loan) 24 (0)
2015–2016 Melbourne City 15 (0)
2016– Sydney FC 73 (2)
National team‡
2008 Australia U-23 6 (1)
2009– Australia 10 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 8 August 2019
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 16 November 2011

Club career

After being signed by the former Brisbane Roar coach Frank Farina on a two-year contract, Zullo played five of the six opening games of the season, coming on as a substitute. On his first eleven debut against Wellington Phoenix, his sixth appearance for Queensland, he scored in the opening minutes of the game and set up a first half added-time goal for fellow youngster and close friend Robbie Kruse.[2] He previously played in the Brisbane Premier League for the Brisbane Strikers During a match against Sydney FC, Zullo limped off the field with a torn thigh muscle which ruled him out for 6 weeks.[3]

At the end of the 2008–09 season, Zullo received offers from Dutch Eredivisie clubs FC Groningen and NEC Nijmegen but declined both offers and cited his preference to stay in the A-League for another season.[4]

On 2 April 2010, along with fellow Roar players, Thomas Oar and Adam Sarota, Zullo joined Dutch side Utrecht on a three-year deal, in a collective transfer deal rumoured to be worth in excess of A$1.8 million.[5][6] He made his debut for Utrecht in a 1–1 draw with NEC Nijmegen on 28 February 2011, coming off the bench on the 81st minute.

On 29 August 2013, he signed a one-year loan deal with Australian A-League club Adelaide United.[7]

On 14 July 2015, Zullo signed a one-year deal with Melbourne City.[8]

On 11 May 2016, Zullo signed a two-year deal with Sydney FC.[9] In his first season at the Sky Blues, he played an influential role as an attacking fullback, assisting three goals and forming a good partnership with left winger Milos Ninkovic.

Zullo scored his first goal for Sydney FC in a 3–2 win over Wellington Phoenix.

In January 2018, Zullo committed his future to Sydney FC for a further two seasons.

International career

Due to outstanding form since making his debut for Brisbane Roar, Zullo was called up for the first time for the Australia national under-23 football team before their qualifier against Iraq, in which they won 2–0.

He was also a train-on player with the national U-17 squad, the Joeys, at 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship in Peru.

On 28 January 2009, Zullo made his full international debut, coming on as a substitute in a 0–0 draw with Indonesia in the group stage of qualifying for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup.[10]

Personal life

Zullo has a younger brother, Julian, who appeared in Season 3 of football talent show Football Superstar on Australian television channel Fox8. Zullo also attended Villanova College Coorparoo where he played for the 1st XI football team. Zullo attended St Anthony's Primary School in Alexandra Hills.

Career statistics

Statistics accurate as of 28 October 2017

Club Season Division League Cup Europe Total
AppsGoalsAssistsAppsGoalsAssistsAppsGoalsAssistsAppsGoalsAssists
Brisbane Roar 2007–08 A-League 17122000001912
2008–09 23152100002525
2009–10 13010000001301
Brisbane Roar total 53284100005738
FC Utrecht 2010–11 Eredivisie 600000000600
2011–12 15021000001602
2012–13 13001000001300
Utrecht total 34022000003502
Adelaide United 2013–14 A-League 24040000002404
Melbourne City 2015–16 A-League 15000000001500
Sydney FC 2016–17 A-League 28030000002803
2017–18 310400000710
Sydney FC total 31140000003513
Career total 1573171010000166417

Honours

Sydney FC

  • Best left back in A-League, PFA Team of the Season 2016–2017
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gollark: I agree entirely.
gollark: I don't want to use another register to store things, so I'm considering increasingly ridiculous hackery with the "CPU"'s flags.

References
  1. "Brisbane trio sign for FC Utrecht". 2 April 2010. Archived from the original on 26 February 2011. Retrieved 6 April 2010.
  2. Zullo roars into Suncorp" Australian FourFourTwo
  3. Further month off for injured Zullo Fox Sports
  4. Zullo Declines To Go Dutch
  5. (in Dutch) Australisch trio tekent contract
  6. Roar cop triple blow Archived 29 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  7. http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/adelaideunited/news-display/Reds-secure-Socceroo-Zullo-on-loan/73797
  8. "Michael Zullo signs one-year deal with A-League's Melbourne City". abc.net.au. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
  9. "Transfer news: Sydney FC sign Socceroos defender". A-League. 12 May 2016.
  10. "Socceroos settle for draw in Asian Cup qualifier against Indonesia". AAP. AAP. 29 January 2009. Retrieved 29 January 2009.
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