Ex-Melbourne Victory midfielder Jake Brimmer pledges international allegiance to Malta ahead of FIFA World Cup qualifier in September

He dreamt of playing for the Socceroos, but now 2022 Johnny Warren Medal winner Jake Brimmer has pledged his international allegiance to Malta.

The former Australian youth international once adjudged the A-League’s best player has switched his international allegiance to Malta.

Auckland FC midfielder Jake Brimmer, who won the Johnny Warren Medal in 2022 during his time with Melbourne Victory, has had his “change of association” request approved by FIFA.

The 27-year-old former Liverpool youth player has represented Australia at under-17 and under-20 levels but hasn’t played for the Socceroos, who are currently coached by his former Victory mentor Tony Popovic.

Having taken advantage of his Maltese heritage, Brimmer can now play for Malta, whose next match is a FIFA World Cup qualifier on September 5 against Lithuania in Kaunas.

Auckland FC midfielder Jake Brimmer has chosen to represent Malta at senior level. Picture: Phil Walter/Getty Images

“Obviously growing up I wanted to play for the Socceroos, but I’m 27 now and perhaps that chance has passed me by, and this is a chance for me to play international football and be seen in Europe, which will hopefully help my chances of going back over there to play club football,” Brimmer said.

“I discussed things with my family and we felt this was the best decision for me.

“I’m entering the prime years of my career, and feel this is the right time to do this, and I;m happy with my decision.”

Brimmer said the Malta Football Association first approached him about changing allegiances after his Johnny Warren Medal-winning season.

However, at the time, Brimmer was still intent on playing for the Socceroos, believing his form at the time warranted selection in Australia’s senior team.

But having constantly been overlooked, Brimmer is set to now follow in the footsteps of former Central Coast Mariners pair John Hutchinson and Trent Buhagiar, who switched allegiances from Australia to play senior football for Malta.

Brimmer, who started his A-League career with Perth Glory, left the Victory at the end of the 2023-24 season to become a foundation player with Auckland, and was part of the Black Knights squad that won the Premier’s Plate in the club’s maiden A-League campaign.

He came off the bench in Auckland’s 4-0 Australia Cup round-of-32 win over NPL Queensland club Gold Coast Knights on Tuesday night at Carrara.

Jake Brimmer celebrates scoring a goal for Melbourne Victory during his Johnny Warren-medal winning 2021-22 A-League season. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)

The Black Knights will remain in Queensland for the week, and will play a friendly game against A-League rivals Brisbane Roar on Sunday at Imperial Corp Stadium, the home of NPL Queensland outfit Brisbane City.

Roar chief executive officer Kaz Patafta said: “We’re extremely excited as a club and community to take such an important pre-season fixture against the premiers to a famous Queensland footballing venue in Imperial Corp Stadium.

“After a number of great nights of late engaging in the local community, we are taking this fixture against Auckland FC extremely seriously.

“We look forward to showing the wider Brisbane community just how far we have come already this pre-season.”

Originally published as Ex-Melbourne Victory midfielder Jake Brimmer pledges international allegiance to Malta ahead of FIFA World Cup qualifier in September