Luke Brattan to replace the retired Alex Wilkinson as Sydney FC skipper

Sydney FC has appointed one of the A-League’s most experienced players to captain the club.

Luke Brattan will replace the retired Alex Wilkinson as Sydney FC captain. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Championship-winning midfielder Luke Brattan is Sydney FC’s new skipper.

Brattan, 33, takes over from former Sky Blues captain Alex Wilkinson, who retired at the end of the 2022-23 A-League season.
Queenslander Brattan was part of the Sydney squad that won the premiership-championship double in 2020, and was also part of Brisbane Roar’s halcyon period that included three titles from 2011 to 2014.

“This is a huge honour and this is such a great club,” Brattan said.

“I have enjoyed every minute of my five years here. `Wilko’ was one of the best captains I have ever played under and I learned a lot from him.”

Luke Brattan is Sydney FC’s new captain. Picture: Steve Bell/Getty Images

Wilkinson, Sydney’s new head of football operations, presented Brattan with the captain’s armband on Tuesday.

Sky Blues coach Steve Corica said Brattan “stands out” as the replacement for Wilkinson.

“We look for leadership on the pitch, and off the field, we want them to promote the club culture and the values we set here,” Corica said.

“We have a lot of great players out there that could do the role of captain but Brattan stands out for me.”

Brattan’s first match at Sky Blues captain takes place on Sunday when Sydney meets the Central Coast Mariners in an Australia Cup round-of-32 clash at WIN Stadium.