Leijer was born, and largely grew up in, the New South Wales town of Dubbo to a family of Dutch and English heritage. He played from Under 10 - Under 14 with SASS Strikers Junior Soccer Club in the Dubbo & District Soccer Association. Whilst with SASS, he represented Western New South Wales and New South Wales Country in football. In 1998, Leijer was a co-captain of Orana Heights Public School in Dubbo.
When Leijer was 15 years old his family moved south to Jan Juc on Victoria's surf coast and attended Belmont High School where he joined Geelong SC and represented the U-15's Victorian Country team. Ian Greener, then Head of Coaching & Development at the Victorian Soccer Federation, spotted his talent and recommended him to the head coach of the Victorian Institute of Sport Football program, Ernie Merrick.
While still training at the VIS, Leijer and his future teammate Kristian Sarkies were selected to trial with Premier LeagueEverton Football Club for three weeks. However, they both failed to impress and returned home to Australia.
Melbourne Victory
Upon his return to Australia, he was signed by Melbourne Victory, a team in the new A-League competition. His former VIS coach Ernie Merrick, who had taken the reins at Melbourne Victory, stated; "Adrian is a reliable and uncompromising defender with a football maturity beyond his years. He is already part of the senior leadership group within the club and is the second youngest player in the squad,"
The club's first season was reminiscent of Leijer's time at the Melbourne Knights as Melbourne Victory finished second last overall. Leijer, however, played 20 games for the club, only missing their final game against the New Zealand Knights through suspension. At the end of the season he was awarded the Players' Player of the Year and Clubman of the Year awards.
Melbourne Victory's second season was more successful, starting with seven straight wins and culminating in a 6–0 victory over Adelaide United in the Grand Final. At the A-League's end of season awards, Leijer won Young Player of the Year.
Fulham
On 2 August 2007, Melbourne Victory confirmed that English Premier League club Fulham had made a bid for the then 21-year-old. Leijer accepted and signed a 3-year contract for an undisclosed fee.[1]
Leijer consistently played for the Fulham reserve team throughout the 2007–2008 season and was also included in the squads to face both Liverpool and Reading, but stayed on the bench both times. Following Adrian's return to Fulham after an unsuccessful Olympic campaign with the Australian U/23's team, Leijer returned without having played any games in the Olympic tournament. Whilst tipped by Fulham reserve coach Billy McKinlay to make a greater impact in the first team that season, Adrian missed most of the club's pre-season due to the Olympic tournament and only made the bench once, in a League Cup defeat to Burnley.[2]
Norwich
On 2 February 2009, it was announced that Leijer has moved on loan to Norwich City until the end of the 2008–09 season, becoming Norwich City's 40th loan signing since they were relegated in their 2004–2005 season. This loan spell was mostly unsuccessful for Leijer, since it did not result in him seeing a great deal of first team action.
Melbourne Victory
Leijer playing for Melbourne Victory against Brisbane Roar in 2011.
It was announced that Leijer would return again to Australia during their 2009-10 season, after being re-signed by his former Melbourne Victory for three years.[3] Melbourne had suffered shallow defensive stocks with numerous key players unavailable prior to the announcement.[4] After a promising start, slotting straight back in to the side hours after landing,[5] former captain Kevin Muscat commented on his potential to be a key figure in the club. In February 2011, Adrian Leijer was appointed the captain of Melbourne Victory.[6] Leijer was formerly the captain of Melbourne Victory from February 2011 to September 2013.[7] On 17 September 2013, Leijer was replaced by Mark Milligan as Melbourne Victory's captain.[8][9]
Adrian Leijer's first taste of the senior international scene was when he was selected by Guus Hiddink to train with the Socceroos before the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. After his short training stint with the senior team he continued being selected for Young Socceroos squads. He had previously been a regular member of the Australia national under-23 football team, the Olyroos.
Leijer earned his first cap for the senior Australian national team against Singapore on 22 March 2008.
Career statistics
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
