Harry Van Der Saag

Harry Eric Van der Saag (born 29 October 1999) is an Australian professional footballer who plays as a right-back and right winger for Manly United in the NPL NSW.^[4]

Harry Van der Saag

Personal information
Full name	Harry Eric Van der Saag[1]
Date of birth	(1999-10-29) 29 October 1999 (age 25)[2]
Place of birth	Wahroonga, Australia[3]
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[2]
Position(s)	Right-back
Team information
Current team	Manly United
Youth career
	FNSW NTC
2014–2015	Manly United
2015–2019	Sydney FC
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2018–2021	Sydney FC NPL	28	(2)
2019–2022	Sydney FC	35	(2)
2022–2024	Adelaide United	16	(2)
2024–2025	Brisbane Roar	10	(0)
2025-	Manly United	2	(0)
International career‡
2019	Australia U23	1	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18 February 2025 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 14 December 2019

Early life

Van der Saag was born on 29 October 1999 in Wahroonga, and later raised in Narrabeen. He took interest initially in rugby league before transitioning into football at the age of 12.^[5] He also took interest in surfing and golf as hobbies.^[6] Van der Saag joined his first football club with Collaroy Cromer Strikers in their juniors' age group.^[7] He takes inspiration from Michael Jordan for his determination and strong mentality.^[8]

Club career

Sydney FC

Van der Saag began his football career at Manly United before joining Sydney FC Academy at the age of 16.^[7][9][10] He made his unofficial debut on 30 July 2019 in a friendly match against Paris Saint-Germain, where he was tasked with marking Kylian Mbappé.^[11][12] Sydney FC fell to a 3–0 defeat.^[13]

Van der Saag made his competitive debut as a substitute on 14 December 2019 in a 1–0 league win against Central Coast Mariners.^[14] His starting debut came on 4 January 2020 in a 2–1 win over Adelaide United at Jubilee Stadium.^[15] He then signed his first professional contract with Sydney FC on a two-year deal within a week later.^[16] In the next meeting against the Mariners, Van der Saag scored his first league goal, including an assist for Marco Tilio, in a 3–0 victory on 23 February 2020.^[17][18][19]

Van der Saag won his first title with the club, the A-League Premiership, by the end of the season.^[20] He was an unused substitute in Sydney FC's record fifth Championship after defeating Melbourne City in the 2020 A-League Grand Final.^[21][22] He was released by Sydney FC in May 2022 as a result of a squad rebuild.^[23] Van der Saag made 35 league appearances, including two goals in total for the club.^[2]

Adelaide United

Following his release, Van der Saag was signed by Adelaide United on a two-year contract in June 2022.^[24] He made his league debut for the club on 9 October 2022 in a goalless draw with Wellington Phoenix,^[2] and scored his first goal in a 2–2 draw against his former side Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium just two weeks later.^[25][26] Van der Saag was soon ruled out after suffering a tear in his right medial meniscus during a training session in late-November. He received surgery in December 2022 and was on a rehabilitation program for the following months.^[27][28][29]

After struggling to get into the side following his serious injury, his contract expired and he was then released from Adelaide United.^[30]

International career

In November 2019, Van der Saag was called up for the Australia U-23 squad that was set to play a series of three friendlies in Chongqing, China.^[31][32] Australia claimed the Dazu Cup after winning all three matches.^[33]

Style of play

Mainly positioned as a right-back, Van der Saag is able to play as a defensive midfielder or in a more advanced midfield role. He was described by Sydney FC manager Steve Corica to be a "younger" Rhyan Grant for his versatility and work rate.^[34] For Adelaide United, Van der Saag was utilised more as an attacking wing-back, being given more attacking freedom whilst using his endurance to return in defence.^[35]

Career statistics

As of 14 November 2022^[2]

Club	Season	League			Cup		Continental		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Sydney FC	2019–20[36]	A-League	12	1	0	0	4	0	16	1
	2020–21[37]	A-League	12	1	0	0	0	0	12	1
	2021–22[38]	A-League Men	11	0	4	1	4	0	19	1
	Total		35	2	4	1	8	0	47	3
Adelaide United	2022–23[39]	A-League Men	6	1	3	0	0	0	9	1
	2023–24[40]	A-League Men	10	1	0	0	0	0	10	1
	Total		16	2	3	0	0	0	19	2
Brisbane Roar	2024–25[41]	A-League Men	1	0	1	0	0	0	2	0
Career total			52	4	8	1	8	0	68	5

Honours

Club

Sydney FC

• A-League Championship: 2019–20^[42]
• A-League Premiership: 2019–20

References

1. "Harry Van der Saag". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
2. "H. Van der Saag: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
3. "Harry Van der Saag – Adelaide United". Adelaide United. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
4. NSW, NPL. "Van der Saag returns to boost Manly's 2025 stocks". NPL Men's NSW. NPL NSW. Retrieved 5 February 2025.
5. Lulham, Amanda (24 September 2019). "Teen football star Harry Van der Saag chasing another dream debut after snaring Sydney FC contract". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
6. "Lockdown With: Harry Van der Saag". Sydney FC. 9 July 2021. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
7. Curulli, Chris (26 February 2020). "Van der Saag strikes for Sydney FC – By Chris Curulli - Manly United Football Club". Manly United. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
8. "What's On With Harry Van der Saag". Sydney FC. 27 May 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
9. "Harry Van der Saag Signs New Deal". Sydney FC. 14 January 2020. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
10. Bossi, Dominic (27 February 2020). "'Age doesn't matter': Kids shining in Sydney FC's changing of the guard". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 9 June 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
11. Smithies, Tom (21 December 2022). "Kylian me softly: The day I got an Mbapptism of fire on my pro debut". A-League. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
12. Bossi, Dominic (31 July 2019). "Sydney FC teen snares Mbappe's match shirt after dream debut". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
13. Rayson, Zac (30 July 2019). "PSG vs Sydney: Superstars Kylian Mbappe, Edinson Cavani star in 3-0 win". Fox Sports. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
14. Lulham, Amanda (17 December 2019). "Harry Van der Saag makes Sydney FC debut against Mariners". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
15. "Van der Saag Feeling Sky Blue Now". Sydney FC. 7 January 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
16. "Harry Van der Saag Signs New Deal". Sydney FC. 14 January 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
17. "Sydney FC young guns seal A-League win - Nine Wide World of Sports". Nine News. 23 February 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
18. Rayson, Zac (23 February 2020). "Pair of Sydney starlets score maiden goals in incredible arrival". Fox Sports. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
19. Parkin, Richard (1 March 2020). "'Finally bearing fruit' - collaboration paves the way for A-League fairytales". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
20. "Quick Catch Up: Harry Van der Saag". Sydney FC. 25 August 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
21. "Sydney FC set new Australian record with Grand Final success". Football Australia. 31 August 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
22. "Van der Saag Thrilled With Unusual Debut Season". Sydney FC. 6 July 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
23. "MEMBERS EXCLUSIVE: Sydney FC Rebuild Begins As 12 Players Move On". Sydney FC. 19 May 2022. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
24. Filosi, Gianluca (8 June 2022). "Reds secure Harry Van der Saag". Adelaide United. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
25. "Reds Hold On After Sky Blues Bombardment". Sydney FC. 23 October 2022. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
26. Chalk, Ethan Lee (25 October 2022). "'It was a mistake': Controversial decision puts dampener on great game". The Inner Sanctum. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
27. "Harry Van der Saag undergoes surgery". Adelaide United. 7 December 2022. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
28. "Van der Saag's vow to make United impact". Adelaide United. 21 April 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
29. Harrington, Anna (8 December 2022). "Utd keen to keep ALM momentum against Roar". South Western Times. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
30. laurabates (17 May 2024). "Reds Farewell Three Defenders From A-league Men's Side". Adelaide United. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
31. "Australia U-23 National Team Named for China Tour". Football Federation Australia. 11 November 2019.
32. "Harry Van der Saag earns Aussie call-up before hitting pitch for Sydney FC in A-League". The Daily Telegraph. 17 November 2019.
33. "Australia U-23s claim 2019 'Dazu Cup' in China". Football Federation Australia. 20 November 2019.
34. Bossi, Dominic (30 July 2020). ""A young Rhyan Grant": Sydney FC coach backs Harry van der Saag to fill void". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
35. "Van der Saag's timely run to the Reds". Adelaide United. 12 October 2022. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
36. "Harry Van der Saag (Defender, Sydney FC): 2019/20". Ultimate A-League. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
37. "Harry Van der Saag (Defender, Sydney FC): 2020/21". Ultimate A-League. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
38. "Harry Van der Saag (Defender, Sydney FC): 2021/22". Ultimate A-League. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
39. "Harry Van der Saag (Defender, Adelaide United): 2022/23". Ultimate A-League. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
40. "Harry Van der Saag (Defender, Adelaide United): 2023/24". Ultimate A-League. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
41. "Harry Van der Saag (Defender, Brisbane Roar): 2024/25". Ultimate A-League. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
42. "Sydney FC set new Australian record with Grand Final success". Football Federation Australia. 1 September 2020. Retrieved 1 September 2020.

External links

• Harry Van Der Saag at Soccerway