Having made his Hyundai A-League debut as a substitute against Melbourne City, defender Noah Pagden is part of the next generation of Wanderers Academy players breaking into the first team.
Having made his Hyundai A-League debut as a substitute against Melbourne City, defender Noah Pagden is part of the next generation of Wanderers Academy players breaking into the first team.
Pagden has experienced life in the first team over the last year, getting his first taste of action in the club’s historic match against Leeds United in July last year.
Being in a professional environment daily has given the opportunity for Pagden to really develop his game and work with some of his idols.
“This year being in the full-time professional set up, it’s been a lot different for myself coming in every day, every week and working hard with top professionals out of playing the game for such a long time I’ve been able to learn from then. Day in, day out.
“And hopefully that’s translated into my abilities of football.
“For me personally, a left foot centreback doesn’t come much better than Matt Jurman, so I’ve been able to look up to him a lot throughout the year.
“And then also another younger player like Tass (Mourdoukoutas), who’s had to bide his time as well but took his chances. So hopefully I can replicate that in myself.”
Pagden made his Hyundai A-League debut in Round 23 against Melbourne City, coming as a substitute for fellow Wanderers Academy teammate and friend Jarrod Carluccio.
“We’ve been at the club for five years now. We started in the 15s together. And to make our debuts on the same night was a pretty special feeling,” said Pagden.
“It was a special day for myself making my debut and I was just glad that I could take the opportunity that was in front of me and we got the point away again.”
