Jordan Courtney-Perkins, Brisbane Roar’s youngest player ever, reflects on time in Poland and looks forward to second stint with club

Teenage footballer Jordan Courtney-Perkins has returned from playing in Poland to the A-League club where he became their youngest player ever. Hear from him before the season gets underway.

Jordan Courtney-Perkins excited for the season with boyhood club Brisbane Roar.

Jordan Courtney-Perkins is back on home soil after signing a one year loan deal with the Brisbane Roar, the club where the left-footed defender from Polish side Rakow Czestochowa, became the youngest player ever at 16 years and 276 days.

The 19-year-old returns home having played in Poland’s national league for Rakow and Warta Poznań. After 13 months away, Courtney-Perkins is back in orange for the Isuzu UTE 2022/23 A-League season.

So, we pinned him down for the lessons learned and ambitions for his team’s season which kicks off Saturday October 8 upon his arrival down under.

Jordan Courtney-Perkins adjusting to the weather.

There were an array of testing moments Courtney-Perkins faced in his time abroad.

Some of these included:

- 48 hours after landing, sitting in a gas station on the border of the Czech Republic. This came after issues with transferring vaccination records meant he had to hop off the team bus as the police were on their way to get him.

- Being loaned from Rakow to Warta Poznan one morning and moving out of home and living in a new city by 7pm the same night.

Jordan Courtney-Perkins in action for Warta Poznan.

What does the dream season for you look like this year with the Brisbane Roar?

We are aiming to improve on our results last year, make a push for the finals and go as far as we can. I think we have the ability in our squad to do so and there’s a lot of belief within the group to definitely shock some people this year.

What goal do you want to achieve with your teammates, even beyond the win loss column?

Finals. Beyond the league, it would be to bring excitement back to Brisbane football. Being back at Suncorp Stadium for a few games will be good to see some familiar faces and give Brisbane something to be excited about. To give the fans something to look forward to and get behind.

What’s it like being back home around familiar faces and how do you think that will translate onto the pitch?

It’ll be good for me. I lived alone for the first time last year (overseas). I missed my family and friends and to be back in this environment is great. I know a lot of the boys from the Roar from when I was previously here and that’s helpful for me. It’s a comfortable environment for me to return to. This will directly translate to performance — being happy and comfortable will affect me positively when I’m on the pitch.

Jordan Courtney-Perkins in red for Polish club Rakow.

When you are on the pitch what do you personally want to achieve?

For me, it was a little bit slower overseas for game time so being here is a great opportunity to better myself as a player and push myself harder. I want to help the team as best I can — whatever I can do.

You touched on limited opportunities. Does that push you even more for the upcoming season?

Definitely. My time overseas, although I wasn’t getting the game time I’d hoped for, I improved a lot as a player and I’m very excited to come back and show everyone what I’ve learnt and get out there and give it a good crack.

I just want to play football. I think it’ll be an important season for me and I’m looking forward to it.

Jordan Courtney-Perkins training with Rakow.

How much is this first appearance back in orange itching at you?

I used to play here. It was my boyhood club, the team I used to watch on TV and at Suncorp. With round 1 at Suncorp it’s definitely something I am looking forward to. I used to catch the bus in, now I get to drive in and be the player I looked up to back in the day so I truly cannot wait to get started.

The Brisbane Roar boys. Left to right: Kai Trewin, Jordan Courtney-Perkins, Macklin Freke.

How has the team been welcoming you back?

They’ve been really good. It’s been awesome to see a few of my better mates that I have known for years now in Kai Trewin and Macklin Freke. It’s great to be back in the change room throwing the banter around and I’m glad I get to take the pitch with them again.

Who are players to watch for you guys this season?

We have our new signing Charlie Austin. He’s a very distinguished player who has had an amazing career which is something as a young player you want to have. It’s good to have him around. He’s a really good guy, he teaches us a lot. He’s sharp, he’s good at finishing and he knows a lot about the game which is a positive for the team.

Charlie Austin of Brisbane Roar. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

If you could say something to the Roar faithful what would it be and why?

If you can get down to the game at Suncorp and at Redcliffe it’ll be awesome to see you there. We are going to give it our all for you guys, and we would love to see you in the crowd.