Nishan Velupillay

Nishan Velupillay

Velupillay in 2023
Personal information
Full name	Nishan Velupillay
Date of birth	(2001-05-07) 7 May 2001 (age 23)
Place of birth	Melbourne, Australia
Height	1.81 m (5 ft 11 in) [1]
Position(s)	Winger
Team information
Current team	Melbourne Victory
Number	17
Youth career
	Endeavour United
	Glen Eira FC
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2019–2022	Melbourne Victory NPL	17	(6)
2021–	Melbourne Victory	92	(11)
International career‡
2023–2024	Australia U23	14	(5)
2024–	Australia	5	(3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 10 November 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 25 March 2025

Nishan Matthew Velupillay (born 7 May 2001) is an Australian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Melbourne Victory and the Australia national team. ^[2]

Early life

Velupillay was born in Melbourne, Victoria to parents of Sri Lankan Tamils origin and attended Mazenod College, Mulgrave. ^[3]

Club career

Early career

Velupillay began his career in the youth academy at Glen Eira FC, FTS (football technique school). ^[4]

Melbourne Victory

Velupillay signed his first professional contract with Melbourne Victory in 2019. He made his professional debut for the club on 19 May 2021, coming on as a substitute in a 0–2 defeat against Sydney. On 11 December 2021, Velupillay scored his first professional goal, netting the winning goal in a 2–1 win over Adelaide United. ^[5]

International career

In October 2024, Velupillay was called up by Tony Popovic ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against China and Japan. On 10 October, in the match against China, he came off the bench in the 83rd minute to replace Mitchell Duke to mark off his international debut. 7 minutes later, he scored his first international goal to seal a 3–1 win.

Honours

Melbourne Victory

• FFA Cup: 2021

Individual

• Young Player of the Year: 2021–22 ^[6]

Career

International goals

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1.	10 October 2024	Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, Australia	China	3–1	3–1	2026 FIFA World Cup qualification
2.	20 March 2025	Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney, Australia	Indonesia	2–0	5–1
3.	25 March 2025	Hangzhou Sports Park Stadium, Hangzhou, China	China	2–0	2–0

References

1. "Nishan Velupillay". Melbourne Victory. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
2. "Nishan Velupillay". 20 November 2019.
3. "Nishan Velupillay Melbourne Victory videos, transfer history and stats - SofaScore". www.sofascore.com. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
4. "23 under 23: The best young players to look out for this A-League Men's season". ABC News. 18 November 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
5. "Australia - N. Velupillay - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". my.soccerway.com. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
6. "News - Jake Brimmer Takes Out Victory Medal". 3 June 2022.

External links

• Nishan Velupillay at Soccerway