Sydney FC to encourage Adrian Segecic to ‘take leap’ with club overseas

Sky Blues attacker Adrian Segecic continues to stake a claim for a spot in Sydney FC’s starting team.

Sydney FC coach Ufuk Talay has encouraged Sky Blues supersub Adrian Segecic to leave the club next season but only to join an overseas team rather than a rival A-League outfit.

Segecic, 20, continues to make an impact off the bench, scoring in stoppage time to secure Sydney FC a 3-2 weekend win over Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium.

It was his 17th goal in all competitions this season, a feat made all the more impressive considering that of his 31 appearances, 16 have been as a substitute.

And chances are that Segecic – whose contract expires at the end of the season – will again be on the bench on Wednesday night in Sydney’s AFC Champions League Two semi-final, first-leg clash against Lion City Sailors in Singapore, with the Sky Blues’ starting forward line expected to consist of star foreign trio Douglas Costa, Patryk Klimala and Joe Lolley.

“I understand the ‘Sega’ situation,” Talay said.

“He’s had a good season, and he’s probably eyeing an opportunity to go overseas. It’s a great opportunity for him to take that leap to go overseas.

“That’s what his agent should be looking at for him, but if he ends up staying in the A-League competition, we definitely want to keep him.”

Acclimatising in Singapore 🥵#WeAreSydney | #ACLTwopic.twitter.com/drvpXizScS

— Sydney FC (@SydneyFC) April 8, 2025

Segecic has already had a stint in Europe, having spent the 2023-24 season on loan at Dutch second division club Dordrecht.

“His loan deal ended, and he came back a different player,” Talay said.

While Sydney has plenty of options in attack, the Sky Blues’ defensive stocks have taken a blow, with imposing centre-back Alex Grant not having travelled to Singapore after suffering a calf injury against Adelaide.

“It’s not good. He’ll have scans so we know what it is. It’s possibly a tear, but we don’t know what grade,” Talay said.

Grant’s absence could open the selection door for Alex Popovic, who failed to make the match-day squad for Sydney’s win over Adelaide.

“We’ll have to work out what our backline is going to look like,” Talay said.

“We’ve got so many games in a short amount of time, so we need everyone available if possible.”