Sean Rooney

Age 18
Club Blacktown City Demons
League NSW Premier League
Position Striker

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When the young striker strolls into FourFourTwo’s offices the similarities to that other, more famous Rooney at Old Trafford are apparent immediately.

He’s stocky, has a low centre of gravity and is determined to make his mark. And judging by his red card a few days earlier in the NSW Premier League, Sean may have a similar fire in the belly. But don’t let that distract you – the lad’s a quality prospect.

Last season, Sean Rooney made his debut as a 16-year-old and iced the occasion with a goal against Marconi. He has continued his ascent in 2007 and scored in
the recent Johnny Warren pre-season Cup.

“You could say he’s the Aussie Wayne Rooney in that he’s built like the Man United star and is able to shield the ball really well,” says Demons keeper Ivan Necevski. “He definitely has A-League potential if he has a good season with Blacktown City.”

And if an A-League club doesn’t pick him up, West Ham may. Rooney is off to the Hammers this July after being asked back following a trial last year.

“It was a very good experience and I got to meet their stars like Anton Ferdinand. I was also part of the Milk Cup two years ago in Northern Ireland, an international tournament where I was given Man of the Match in a win over a German side.”

Rooney says he opted for the Demons ahead of the NSW Institute of Sport as he wanted regular match football. And he figures it’s a shop window to a bigger league.

“And I think training as a full-timer in the A-League would help me because you get sharper with the extra training.”

With an Irish dad and an Italian mother Rooney should have no trouble gaining clearance to Europe should he make the grade. But with former Soccer NSW technical director Branko Culina a fan of Rooney, it may not be long before we see this Demon in the A-League.