The 22-year-old Jets defender has been named in Branko Culina’s starting XI for Newcastle’s glamour friendly with MLS club LA Galaxy at EnergyAustralia Stadium.

In front of an expected crowd of over 20,000, Regan gets the once-in-a-lifetime chance to perform on a global stage thanks to one of the wealthiest, most recognizable sportsmen on the planet.

It’s all a far cry from working early mornings for a living. And you can't wipe the smile of this Novocastrian's face.

“At the same time as I was working as a labourer, I was playing for the Jets youth team and making very little money," explained Regan over a coffee at Mereweather beach.

“You’ve got to be at work at 6am and in the middle of winter it can be cold when you’re in shorts and throwing 30kg drums of concrete onto the backs of trucks.

“It doesn’t compare to being a professional footballer when you can have a sleep-in and surf after every training session.  So it’s good to finally get that break and get that chance.”

That break came when Culina told his tall young stopper he’d done enough to earn a professional contract for one season.

Culina threw down the challenge. It was up to Regan – who is now too old for the NYL side - to show himself.

The former Azzurri FC player has  already impressed racking up three games in the first team – including a debut against arguably the best side going round: Brisbane.

“Yes, I did question my ability,” he said recalling the days before his debut. “I hadn’t played at that level as such but I knew all week I was going to play.

"I had a week to prepare.  To come away with a 1-1 draw gave me a lot of confidence.”

Regan must be doing something right with the Jets offering him a new two-year contract (yet to be signed but thought to be close).

And he will front up on Saturday night as star defender and club captain Ljubo Milicevic has suffered an untimely ankle injury resulting from Wednesday night’s F3 derby draw with Central Coast.

Stopper Nikolai Topor-Stanley is set to start against LA alongside Regan in the centre of the Jets backline.  

“Branko would probably like to rest him but Nikolai probably wants to play some part – I think everyone does,” said Regan, who grew up idolizing both Beckham and Roy Keane.

“There are a few injuries that may stop a few boys but at the same time there’ll be a few boys who’ll want to play Beckham possibly for the first and last time so there’ll be a few niggling injuries that might all of a sudden come good on Saturday morning,” added Regan with a smile.

The Jets are taking the game as seriously as anyone can take a friendly mid-season jammed in-between a vital run of A-League games while you look to build momentum for a finals push.

“You don’t want these blokes [LA] to put four or five goals on you… it makes you look kinda silly.

“Like Branko said this morning, as much as it’s an exhibition match, we’re representing Newcastle and Australia. So we have to put a good show on for the fans.”

However, whether the ruts in the grass will prevent the game from flowing – or prevent further injuries – remains one question mark.

“I don’t move at the speeds others do so I don’t have to turn on it,” Regan joked.

“But Ljubo’s injury highlights the pitch problem – something’s not right. It is an issue. I hope it doesn’t overshadow the importance of the game to the Hunter.”

Speaking of the Hunter, Regan is Newcastle through and through. Like ambitious new Jets owner Nathan Tinkler, he is a no-nonsense likable individual who loves his city and dearly wants the Jets to entrench themselves on the social fabric of this picturesque part of the world.

Regan paid tribute to former club owner Con Constantine for keeping the club going ("if there was no Con there’d be no Newcastle Jets" he said).

But Regan believes Tinkler is building a club and a team that can be in the top three or four every year in the A-League while  restoring the good name of the club and A-League football in this rich region that owes much to the many who've gone before them.

Regan buys into the vision because he's lived it. He is infused with Newcastle’s rich football past. He has stood on the terraces and supported the various incarnations of teams at national league level.

He’s even been out on the pitch with the players when he was a junior, and remembers the struggle of one current football pundit.

“I was a ball-boy for Newcastle Breakers when I was ten years old,” recalled Regan. “I don’t know if you want to write this but I was a ball-boy when Andy Harper missed two penalties in one game and we lost 2-1.

“I remember going into the changing rooms after the game and seeing him and he was just distraught in the showers. Just inconsolable."

Reagan added: “It’s a place I’d like to play forever.

"It’s a club I’m very passionate about obviously following it since I was in nappies. I’m very familiar with the club, I love everyone involved with the club and the supporters are great.

“I think tomorrow night will really show that.”