Debut: 27/05/2016 v England
Socceroos cap number: 584
Major Tournaments: FIFA World Cup 2018 & 2022, AFC Asian Cup 2019
Current Club: Melbourne City
Previous clubs: Perth Glory, Brisbane Roar, SV Darmstadt 98, Hibernian (Loan)
Maclaren’s career began with Perth Glory, making 38 appearances and scoring 11 goals, moving to Brisbane Roar in 2015. Maclaren took his game to another level at the Roar, being named Young Player of the Year in his two seasons with the club, winning the Golden Boot for the 2016/17 season. This strong form for the Roar saw Maclaren break into the Socceroos squad for the first time, making his debut against England in 2016.
Following the 2016/17 season, Maclaren secured a move to Europe, signing with German second division club SV Darmstadt 98. Struggling for game time in Germany, Maclaren mustered a loan deal with Scottish side Hibernian for the second half of the 2017/18 season. His form for the Scottish club, including a hat trick on the final day of the season, saw him force his way into the 2018 World Cup squad but was an unused substitute in each of Australia’s group matches. At the beginning of 2019, the striker returned to Australia and linked up with Melbourne City where he scored goals at a prolific rate. His first international hat-trick arrived in October 2019 against Nepal. At 29, Maclaren made his World Cup debut in Qatar against Tunisia and would go onto appear in the subsequent matches against Denmark and Argentina.
A-League connection:
Maclaren made a name for himself in the A-League making 91 appearance for Perth Glory and Brisbane Roar and scoring 51 goals. Twice named Young A-League Footballer of the Year, Maclaren also won the Golden Boot during the 2016/17 season, scoring 20 goals. In 2019, Maclaren returned to where his football journey began in Victoria, with the Socceroos striker fitting into the plans of powerhouse club Melbourne City.
Did you know?
Maclaren is eligible to represent Malta through his mother, however turned away their advances as he dreamt of playing for the Socceroos.
