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Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday are locking horns in the streak for Australian teen sensation Thomas Waddingham, talkSPORT understands.
It is miles additionally understood striker Waddingham’s transfer will rep A-League membership Brisbane Direct a six-decide fee, with the deal poised to be accomplished in the early weeks of the January transfer window.
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Though Waddingham supreme made his debut for the Direct in August 2023, he has wasted miniature time in cementing himself as a primary aim risk in the A-League.
The 19-yr-former has scored 15 needs in 37 video games across all competitions for Brisbane, with 11 of those coming in the Australian top flight.
Waddingham’s 11 league needs additionally locations him 2nd in A-League history for the most needs scored prior to the age of 20, with Nestory Irankunda’s tally of 16 the account to beat.
Nonetheless, the developed curiosity of Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday might per chance per chance additionally mean Waddingham misses out on the likelihood to surpass Irankunda’s account.
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Waddingham’s speedily upward push to prominence hasn’t factual caught the check of Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday both.
talkSPORT understands German giants Bayern Munich acquire additionally been monitoring the player but are unlikely to pursue a deal at this stage of his occupation.
Bayern acquire taken a alive to check to Australian teenagers in present years, with Irankunda and goalkeeper Anthony Pavlesic each and every now on the Bavarians’ books.
Waddingham’s maintain this season, which has seen him discover four needs in eight league video games for Brisbane, has additionally earned him comparisons with legendary Australian striker Put Viduka.
Viduka, who enjoyed stints at Leeds United, Middlesbrough and Newcastle, smashed home 92 needs in 240 Premier League appearances.
Affectionately identified as ‘Dukes’, the 49-yr-former is widely belief to be one of Australia’s supreme footballers.
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Nonetheless, Brisbane supervisor Ruben Zadkovich modified into hasty to pump the brakes on the Viduka comparisons and insisted Waddingham has heaps more to operate prior to he will get wherever discontinuance to the Aussie icon’s stage.
But Zadkovich felt the frequent praise for Waddingham modified into certain evidence he’s ticking heaps of packing containers, especially at this form of young age.
“When the comparisons to Mark Viduka came out, it’s funny because I think of ‘Dukes’ like a god,” Zadkovich said.
“Back in my era, watching him play, he was just something from a different planet. Tommy’s got a long way to go before he gets anywhere near the big fella, but it’s nice that people draw those comparisons.
“That is a compliment to the ability he’s playing. Folks are talking about him and with gorgeous aim, because he’s available and he’s main the motorway for a membership at 19 years former.”
Should Waddingham join Middlesbrough, he would add to a lengthy list of Australians who have called the Riverside Stadium home.
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Put Schwarzer and Viduka are arguably the 2 most high-profile Australians to acquire played for Middlesbrough.
Middlesbrough additionally boast three Australians on their books at point to in the maintain of Riley McGree and Tom Glover together with Sammy Silvera who is on mortgage at Portsmouth, so Waddingham will have plenty of help when it comes to settling in if he moves to Teesside.
Sheffield Wednesday’s history with Australians is far shorter, with only four appearing for the Owls in their history.
The two sides played out an enthralling contest on Boxing Day as the Owls came back from a 3-0 deficit to secure a 3-3 draw.
Middlesbrough sit seventh in the Championship on 36 points while Sheffield Wednesday lay in ninth on 33 points.
