Wanderers teen Dean Pelekanos on mission to make A-League debut
He’s the teenager from Sydney’s west who loves to sing and rap and is now hoping to bust out some special moves with the Western Sydney Wanderers.
Blacktown
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Dean Pelekanos is so dedicated to his craft he admits he doesn’t do much more than play and train.
But when he does have some time to spare, he taps into his musical side.
“I love music and rap. But I’m a better football player than a rapper,” said the 19-year-old, working to get time with the Western Sydney Wanderers in the 2020/21 A-League which a kick-off scheduled in December.
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Now training with the Wanderers A-League squad a couple of times a week after taking the bench in three games last season, Pelekanos is getting a taste of an environment he aspires to be part of fulltime.
And with each training session, he is inching closer to his goal of making his A-League debut, playing with the team he has loved since he was a young fan.
“I didn’t get to make my debut but I got good experience travelling with the team,” he said.
“I could see what I wanted to be right before my eyes. It was great.
“It has just made me want to work harder, to progress.
“I have been a fan since I was 11 when the Wanderers started. I’ve had a season ticket every year.”
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A central midfielder, Pelekanos came through the Blacktown City juniors program and is part of the Wanderers Academy and National Premier League team.
“I was always football for me from just three years old,” Pelekanos said.
“My father and brothers and cousins always played. I remember starting at a very young age. My mother told me I was big and everyone thought I was too old.’’
The centre midfielder went to Parklea Public and Hills Sports High where he also played rugby league.
Now living at Glenwood with his parents, his immediate goal is to play in the A-League but his long-term dream is to play for his country and at the highest level in Europe.
“I want to help my parents and future family with my career, ” he said.
“I want to be selected for my ability and do my country proud with the Socceroos.”
The Wanderers have named a long list of players for the upcoming season in recent weeks, including Scottish midfielder Graham Dorans And Anthony Lesiotis, who has moved to Sydney from Melbourne victory.
Missing from the red and black for the A-League 2020/21 season will be the likes of Mitch Duke, Matthew German, Nick Sullivan and Nic Sueman.
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