'It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity': Harry Souttar's Olyroos dream

As a youngster, the idea of playing at an Olympic Games was beyond Harry Souttar's wildest dreams. 

Yet now, at the age of 22, he knows he may be just a matter of months away from fulfilling one of his lifelong ambitions.

In the year since the Tokyo 2020 Olympics were postponed, Souttar has gone from strength to strength with Stoke City in the English Championship. The towering defender, who is the second tallest player ever to ever pull on the Green and Gold shirt, established himself as a mainstay with the Potters and is eager to play an important role in their promotion push moving forward. 

ONE MONTH TO GO: How to watch the Socceroos' return  

READ MORE: Six reasons to get pumped for the return of the Socceroos

Socceroos-World-Cup-hub-header

 

At international level, Souttar has two Socceroos caps to his name, during which he scored a memorable four goals back in 2019. 

While he is yet to appear for the Olyroos, Souttar is within the age limit for the Tokyo 2020 Men's Football Tournament, and has put his hand up to be in contention for a call up to be part of Australia's first Olympic campaign since 2008. 

"To be selected for the Olympics team would be an honor," he told The Socceroos Podcast.

"To play at an Olympics was something I've always wanted to do since I was so young, it was one of my first memories is really watching the Olympics even before I played football.

I remember growing up thinking, 'there's no way I'll be at an Olympics unless I started swimming or shot-putting or something. So I'm just looking forward to that if I'm selected and, it's a once in a lifetime opportunity, so  fingers crossed I'm there."

Listen to The Socceroos Podcast in the player below and/or listen and subscribe on Apple PodcastsGoogle Play & Spotify.

When sharing his goals moving forward, Souttar admitted that an Olympic berth come July is high on his list.

In the even nearer future, he is determined to inspire Australia through the a packed June qualifying schedule of four games in 12 days,  with the long term prospect of a maiden World Cup appearance on the horizon.

"To play in the Olympics is so close and a really achievable dream, which not many people can say - that you've eachieved one of your dreams," said Souttar. 

"So hopefully I'm selected and am able to live that out. Otherwise I want to just keep working hard and play at the highest level; I know so many boys that were so talented, but maybe they didn't put in the work ethic that's required and now aren't playing at a higher level.

"It's just all about continuing to work hard and hopefully I'll be playing the highest level one day." 

LISTEN: Harry Souttar - Shining on a cold, rainy night in Stoke

READ MORE: Harry Souttar sets his sights on the Premier League with Stoke City

Socceroos Browser Extension Thin Banner