A right-sided winger, Whalley grew up in Sydney’s northern suburbs and came through the junior ranks of GHFA Spirit FC.

After spells with Blacktown Spartans, he spent four years with Blacktown City.

"When I was playing for Blacktown City it was from there a manager had spotted me playing,” he said.

"He really liked the way I play and he said there’s not much happening here, it’s better if I branch you out into professional football where you’re playing all the time and everything is full-on.

"It was from there he found me a club in Greece. I went to Panserraikos FC, when I was only 18. I was training with the first-team and playing matches with the second team. It was good, I developed a lot as a player.

"I went from living at home with my parents to living alone, I had to look after myself. It was a huge change, a massive step up for me. But I think I handled it really well. It was a really positive season.”

Whalley, who can play on either wing and at right back as well, always harboured an ambition to try his hand in Europe.

"Of course, I always wanted to play football professionally,” he said.

"It’s always been my dream. If I wasn’t a professional I’d just be devastated. So to be living that life now is great. The A-League is a good league but I feel like it’s quite difficult to get that exposure.

"The best A-League players are foreigners who have come from Europe, they’ve played in Europe most of their career and become top players. Then they’ve come back to the A-League and they’re unbelievable.

"So I feel like my aim is always go to Europe, develop a lot as a player and maybe later In my career as a player I come back to Australia and play in the A-League.

"Maybe at some point, but for now I want to play in Europe.”