Jaiden Kucharski

Last updated
Jaiden Kucharski
Personal information
Date of birth (2002-06-25) 25 June 2002 (age 23)
Place of birth Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Position Winger
Team information
Current team
Perth Glory
Number 9
Youth career
Glenwood Redbacks
FNSW SAP
Blacktown City
2014-2024 Sydney FC Youth
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2018– Sydney FC NPL 56 (31)
2022–2025 Sydney FC 60 (7)
2025– Perth Glory 1 (1)
International career
2017–2018 Australia U17 9 (3)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 19 October 2025
‡ National team caps and goals as of 19 August 2022

Jaiden Kucharski (born 25 June 2002) is an Australian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Perth Glory in the A-League Men in Australia.

Contents

Career

Sydney FC

Having joined Sydney FC's youth academy as a 12 year old in 2014, Kucharski progressed through the age groups to make his NSW NPL1 debut in 2018 in a 0–5 loss to former National Soccer League heavyweights Wollongong Wolves. [1] Kucharski signed a two-year scholarship contract with the Sydney A-League Men's side after coming through the academy ranks and performing well in the National Premier League side, having scored 19 goals in the 2022 NPL season. [2] He made his competitive debut for the senior men's team in the 2022 Australia Cup Round of 32 as a substitute against rival A-League side Central Coast Mariners at Leichhardt Oval, and scored in the penalty shootout which saw Sydney win and progress to the Round of 16. [3]

On 13 August 2023, Kucharski was included in the youth-bolstered Australia Cup squad to take on Central Coast Mariners at WIN Illawarra Stadium in Wollongong. [4] The game provided 6 goals all together, with Sydney FC prevailing through the wind and rain to win 10–9 on penalties. In the 122nd minute, Kucharski received the ball on the wing and gracefully dribbled past numerous Central Coast defenders and curled a beautiful shot into the bottom corner to send the game to penalties. [5]

After 3 seasons in Sydney FC's senior team, he departed his boyhood club at the end of the 2024-25 season to "continue his professional development". [6]

Western United

Kucharski signed a two-year contract to join Western United ahead of the 2025-26 A-League season. [7] [8] However, Western United were subjected to a FIFA registration ban due to an unresolved financial dispute with former player, Aleksandar Prijovic. [9] As a result, Kucharski was ineligible to play for Western United in their first match in the 2025 Australia Cup. On August 8, a month to the day of the announcement of Kucharski's signing, Western United's license to play in the A-League was withdrawn by Football Australia, due to their financial troubles, throwing their future into doubt. [10] On August 19, while Western United were still in the process of lodging an appeal on the decision, Kucharski mutually parted ways with the club, having never represented or been registered at the club. [11]

Perth Glory

On 21 August 2025, Perth Glory announced the signing of Kucharski on a two-year deal. [12]

Career statistics

As of match played 23 November 2024
ClubSeasonLeague [a] CupContinentalTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Sydney FC 2021–22 [13] A-League Men 00000000
2022–23 [13] 14020160
2023–24 [13] 24441285
2024–25 [13] 31101051
Career total4157110496
  1. A-League statistics include final series matches

Honours

Sydney FC

Individual

References

  1. Pulczynski, Ian (12 March 2022). ""Marconi, Sydney United, are the best games" - Jaiden Kucharski". frontpagefootball.net. Front Page Football. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  2. Warriner, David (12 May 2022). "GURD & KUCHARSKI SIGN SCHOLARSHIP DEALS". Sydney FC. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  3. James, Euan (29 June 2022). "Sydney FC advance after shootout victory". Australia Cup. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  4. "Sydney FC v Central Coast Mariners - Australia Cup Match Centre". www.australiacup.com.au. 29 June 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  5. nicholasdurbano (29 August 2023). "'Breakout year' on the horizon for Australia Cup hero after penning extension with boyhood club". KEEPUP. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  6. "Sydney FC Thanks Departing Players". Sydney FC. 16 May 2025.
  7. "Jaiden Kucharski adds attacking x-factor to Western United". Western United FC. 8 July 2025.
  8. "Kucharski joins Western". Star Weekly. 8 July 2025.
  9. "New signing Jaiden Kucharski and captain Ben Garuccio unable to play for Western United due to FIFA registration ban". News.com.au. 28 July 2025.
  10. "Football Australia withdraws Western United's A-League licence three years after winning title". ABC News (Australia). 8 August 2025.
  11. "Isuzu UTE A-league Men Squad Update". Western United FC. 19 August 2025.
  12. Morgan, Gareth (21 August 2025). "Glory swoop to sign in-demand Kucharski". Perth Glory. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  13. 1 2 3 4 "Jaiden Kucharski". Soccerway. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  14. "2023 Australia Cup Final". Australia Cup. 7 October 2023. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  15. "Kucharski and Badawiya claim top NPL NSW honours". nationalpremierleagues.com.au. 19 September 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2023.