Dylan Leonard

Last updated

Dylan Leonard
Personal information
Born (2007-08-30) 30 August 2007 (age 18) [1]
Melbourne, Australia
Height 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
Schalke 04
Number 3
Youth career
2013–2018 Middle Park FC
2018–2020 Port Melbourne
2020 Melbourne City
2020–2024 Port Melbourne
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2023 Port Melbourne 14 (0)
2024–2025 Western United NPL 22 (0)
2024–2025 Western United 25 (1)
2025– Schalke 04 0 (0)
International career
2024– Australia U19 3 (0)
2025– Australia U18 4 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 15 September 2025
‡ National team caps and goals as of 15 September 2025

Dylan Leonard (born 30 August 2007) is an Australian professional soccer player who plays as a centre-back for 2. Bundesliga club Schalke 04.

Contents

Leonard holds the records for Western United's youngest debutant and youngest goalscorer, [2] and was ranked by CIES Football Observatory as one of the top 100 Under-20 players worldwide in 2025. [3] [4]

Club career

After signing a scholarship contract with Western United in June 2024 at the age of 16, Leonard made his A-League Men debut for Western United on Sunday 20 October 2024 against Wellington Phoenix at Wellington Regional Stadium, coming on as an 83rd minute substitute for Tate Russell in an eventual 1–1 draw.

Leonard made his first A-League Men start for Western United on Sunday 27 August 2024 against Western Sydney Wanderers at Ironbark Fields after James Donachie suffered a calf injury prior to the match. [5]

Leonard scored his first A-League Men goal during Western United's Unite Round match against Perth Glory on Friday 22 November 2024, scoring in the 60th minute of an eventual 3–1 win, with Leonard becoming Western United's youngest ever goalscorer.

Leonard became the youngest player to start an A-League Men’s semi final, after starting for Western United in the first leg of their two-legged semi-final against Melbourne City on 16 May 2025, with Leonard receiving Western United's young player of the year award days later. [6]

In May 2025, Leonard was ranked by Traits Insights as statistically the A-League's 11th best player, the A-League's third best centre-back, and Western United's second best player, with Leonard ranking above average among his positional peers across scoring, creating, passing and defending. [7]

Following the suspension of Western United's participation ahead of the 2025–26 season, all players – including Leonard – were released from their contracts in September 2025. [8] [9]

On 15 September 2025, German club Schalke 04 announced that they had signed Leonard until June 2030. [10]

International career

Leonard was selected in the Young Socceroos squad for the ASEAN U-19 Boys’ Championship in July 2024, with Leonard captaining the side during the group stages as the they went on to finish third at the tournament.

In May 2025, Leonard was selected for Australia's Under-18 squad for the UEFA Friendship Cup in June. [11]

Style of play

Leonard is described as a true modern-day centre-back, who mixes composed ball-playing with superb physical strength, leadership and defensive intelligence at the back. [12] [13]

Personal life

Leonard is of Scottish descent, with both of his parents having been born in Scotland, and has been a Celtic F.C. supporter since his childhood, with Leonard harbouring ambitions of one day playing for the team. [14]

Leonard's older brother Mark currently plays for Western United FC Youth as a striker. [15] [16] Mark made his first team debut for Western United as a 58th minute substitute in the 2025 Australia Cup match against Sydney FC on 29 July 2025, marking the first time in Western United history where two brothers featured in the same match. [17] [18]

Career statistics

As of 15 September 2025 [19] [20]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueCup [a] OtherTotal
DivisionGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsApps
Port Melbourne 2023 NPL Victoria 1401 [b] 0150
Western United 2024–25 A-League 251103 [c] 0291
2025–26 A-League1010
Total2512030301
Schalke 04 2025–26 2. Bundesliga 000000
Career total3912040451

References

  1. "Dylan Leonard". Soccerway. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  2. Pisani, Sacha (30 April 2025). "Aussie wonderkid reveals 'one club I want to play for' after busting Google myth". A-Leagues. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  3. "Best teenagers: top 200". CIES Football Observatory. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  4. Pisani, Sacha. "A-Leagues sensation & star graduate among top-100 teenagers in world football ft. Lamine Yamal". A-Leagues. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  5. Harrington, Anna (7 May 2025). "The 17-year-old who swapped school for A-League finals". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  6. Murray, Tara (24 May 2025). "Leonard making his mark". Star Weekly. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  7. Rosengarten, Jake (15 May 2025). "Australia is sleeping on a ridiculous football story: Proof this 17-year-old is the real deal". A-Leagues. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  8. "APL statement: An update on Western United Football Club". A-Leagues. 6 September 2025. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
  9. Monteverde, Marco (8 September 2025). "United contracts terminated". news.com.au . Retrieved 10 September 2025.
  10. "FC Schalke 04 sign youngster Dylan Leonard". FC Schalke 04. 15 September 2025.
  11. Hughes, Nick (23 May 2025). "Dylan Leonard back in green and gold after standout season". Western United FC. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  12. Pisani, Sacha (25 February 2025). "Sliding doors moment that's unearthed a generational Australian talent". A-Leagues. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  13. "Dylan Leonard". Western United FC. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  14. Spence, Conor (May 2025). "Aussie Dylan Leonard reveals his Celtic dreams". The Celtic Star. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  15. Pisani, Sacha (18 February 2025). "Aussie prodigy's brother explodes with hat-trick as THREE 15yos emerge in style: Wonderkid Watch". A-Leagues. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  16. Hughes, Nick (7 June 2024). "Western United youngsters set the future at the back in Tarneit". Western United FC. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  17. "From backyard kickabouts to playing pro football: The Leonard brothers are making history together". Facebook. A-Leagues. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  18. "Just two brothers lining up together in a professional fixture for the first time in Western United history". Facebook. Western United FC. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  19. Dylan Leonard at Soccerway
  20. "Dylan Leonard ALeague Stats". ALeagueStats.com.