Two of Australia’s most talented young goalkeepers will form Western United’s next Isuzu UTE A-League Men GK union with Tom Heward-Belle and Matt Sutton joining the Green and Black.
Both keepers have signed for the Club after their teams had participated in the Finals Series this year, with Heward-Belle arriving from Sydney FC and Sutton departing defeated Grand Finalists Melbourne City.
Ahead of their arrival in the West, Heward-Belle and Sutton each expressed their excitement ahead of a new challenge in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
Heward-Belle said:
“I’m super excited to join Western United and I am honoured to be given an opportunity at the Club.
“I’m keen to start pre-season, hit the ground running, apply myself and get to know my new teammates. I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead and I’m proud to be adding to an already successful team culture.”
Sutton said:
“I’m absolutely stoked to be joining Western United, it’s a fantastic club with so much potential – I can’t wait to be part of it.
“I’m as keen to be involved on the pitch as I am off it, helping to grow the Club in the West – I want to contribute in every way possible to help the Club achieve greatness.”
Head Coach John Aloisi spoke of his delight at securing the signatures of two top goalkeepers for the upcoming campaign.
“We are extremely pleased to have Tom and Matt joining our Club. Both are top quality goalkeepers and people who will fit perfectly into our group,” he said.
“Both players have experience in top environments, being part of Championship-winning teams and knowing what it takes to be successful even at such an early stage in their careers.
“Tom and Matt have a mixture of exciting qualities in goal and are eager to continue to learn and develop. We are looking forward to seeing them compete with each other throughout the season.”
Heward-Belle emerged as a talented teenager at Central Coast Mariners, debuting on Boxing Day in 2015 and going on to play twice more before his 19th birthday.
A move to Sydney FC beckoned where Heward-Belle made 13 league appearances and another five in the AFC Asian Champions League. The 26-year-old played in the 2021 Isuzu UTE A-League Grand Final and departs the Sky Blues with three Championships and three Premierships to his name.
Heward-Belle has also represented Australia at both the U20 and U23 level.
Sutton, three years Heward-Belle’s junior, arrives with three senior matches under his belt having joined City after initially progressing through the youth ranks at Melbourne Victory.
Supporting Tom Glover throughout his time at City, Sutton became a Championship winner in 2021 and has been part of City’s run of three consecutive Premier’s Plates.
The two shot stoppers join Angus Thurgate in signing for Western United with the Green and Black bolstering its stock of young Australian football talent ahead of the 23/24 season.
