“Amazing feeling” - Metcalfe reflects on whirlwind two years abroad
From the A-League to Socceroos starter and Bundesliga promotion, Connor Metcalfe reflects on his meteoric rise through football.
After recently securing promotion to Germany’s top tier, Metcalfe has the chance to play in one of Europe's top-five leagues with St. Pauli next season.
The 21-time Socceroo produced three goals and five assists during a breakout campaign, surpassing his five-goal contribution from the previous season.
Signing from Melbourne City in 2022, the 24-year-old is now eager to prove that he’s good enough to play in the Bundesliga after becoming a mainstay in the Hamburg-based side's starting lineup.
“I was talking to my parents, saying that it’s been less than two years since leaving Australia and the club has had decent opportunities to go up but now to finally achieve it is an amazing feeling,” Metcalfe said.
“The reason we all play is to have these moments of success. Once you get it, you want more and more.
“Me, Jacko (Irvine), and a couple of other boys were talking about how we are going to be hosting Bayern Munich at our home ground, playing away at Dortmund, Frankfurt, and all these huge teams.
“We’re all just so excited, so stoked, and obviously happy for ourselves and the club because we deserved it this season.
“The fans always turn up every week, so I think they deserve it as well.”
After gaining invaluable experience with the Socceroos at his first major tournament during the AFC Asian Cup Qatar in 2023, Metcalfe hopes his club form can now translate to the national team stage.
With his versatility in playing multiple positions for St. Pauli, he is confident he can adapt to any role that Graham Arnold requires him to fill.
“I just come into the squad and it’s the same everywhere. Wherever Arnie wants me to play, I will play and do the best I can,” he said.
“We want to win both games so we can (try and) be in pot one.
“Everyone wants to play and everyone wants to push to start, so it's always pretty intense during training and I'm looking forward to getting more into it.”
Having experienced a similar transition to Germany and the national team, Metcalfe even had some advice for recent call-up Nestory Irankunda, who will be moving to Bayern Munich after camp.
“It’s obviously going to be tough for him. He’s young, and it’s going to be his first real move away from home. It’s not like it’s Adelaide to New South Wales, it’s the other side of the world,” Metcalfe said.
“He’s just got to take it step by step and not rush, and try to play as many minutes as he can, whether it’s first division or third division – it doesn’t really matter. It’s just as long as he’s playing senior football and he’s doing well.
“I let him know that everyone (in Germany) speaks really good English, (he will) probably be really well looked after, especially at that club, and if he needs anything, me and `Jacko’ are there to help him.”
Match Details
Bangladesh v Subway Socceroos
Thursday, 6 June
Bashundhara Kings Arena, Dhaka
Kick-off: 4.45pm local / 8.45pm AEST
Broadcast: Paramount+
Subway Socceroos v Palestine
Tuesday, 11 June 2024
HBF Park, Perth
Kick-off: 8.05pm AWST / 10.05pm AEST
Tickets: Start from $15 Child, $20 Concession, $25 Adult, and $50 Family. Tickets from Ticketmaster.
Broadcast: 10, 10 Play, Paramount+