Paul Okon-Engstler

Paul Okon-Engstler
Personal information
Full name Paul Michael Junior Okon-Engstler[1]
Date of birth (2005-01-24) 24 January 2005 (age 19)
Place of birth Ostend, Belgium
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Defensive midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Benfica B
Youth career
Marconi Stallions
2018 Western Sydney Wanderers
2019–2022 Club Brugge
2022– Benfica
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2024– Benfica B 1 (0)
International career‡
2023– Australia U20 7 (0)
2024– Australia U23 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 10 August 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 17 November 2024

Paul Michael Junior Okon-Engstler (born 24 January 2005) is a professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Benfica B in Liga Portugal 2. Born in Belgium, he has represented Australia at youth international level.

Club career

Born in Belgium to former Australian international soccer player Paul Okon, who was playing for K.V. Oostende at the time, Okon-Engstler moved to Australia as a child, as his father had been signed by the Newcastle Jets.[2] He started his career, as his father had, with Marconi Stallions, before moving to A-League side Western Sydney Wanderers.[2] In 2019, he moved back to Belgium, signing with Club Brugge.[2]

While representing Club Brugge at a youth tournament in Portugal, he was spotted by scouts from Benfica, despite Club Brugge's poor performances at the tournament.[3] He joined the Portuguese club in July 2022, signing a three-year deal.[3][4][5]

International career

Okon-Engstler is eligible to represent Belgium through birth, Australia through his father, and Italy through his mother.[2] He holds Italian citizenship.[6]

In September 2022, he was called up to the Australia under-20 team, but did not feature.[7]

He made his debut for the Australia under-23 team during the 2023 Maurice Revello Tournament.[8]

Style of play

A composed, left-footed defensive midfielder, Okon-Engstler is known for his range of long passes, and is capable of starting attacks from deep.[9]

References

  1. ^ Paul Okon-Engstler at WorldFootball.net
  2. ^ a b c d "Paul Okon-Engstler: el talento australiano del Benfica lleva una vida loca como un padre" [Paul Okon-Engstler: Benfica's Australian talent leads a crazy life like a father]. teknomers.com (in Spanish). 20 December 2022. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  3. ^ a b Rosengarten, Jake (20 July 2022). "Paul Okon Junior joins Portuguese giants Benfica". sport.optus.com.au. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  4. ^ "Paul Okon contratado" [Paul Okon hired]. slbenfica.pt (in Portuguese). 19 July 2022. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  5. ^ Delvaux, Martin (20 July 2022). "Zoon van assistent Paul Okon verlaat Club Brugge voor Benfica" [Son of assistant Paul Okon leaves Club Brugge for Benfica]. nieuwsblad.be (in Dutch). Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  6. ^ "Italiano Okon-Engstler reforça equipa sub-19 do Benfica: "Clube lindo e histórico"" [Italian Okon-Engstler reinforces Benfica's under-19 team: «Beautiful and historic club»]. record.pt (in Portuguese). 19 July 2022. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  7. ^ "Young Socceroos Squad Named for Four Continents Tournament in Spain". socceroos.com.au. 13 September 2022. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  8. ^ "Olyroos squad named for Maurice Revello Tournament". Socceroos. Football Australia. 15 May 2023.
  9. ^ "Paul Okon Jr following in famous father's footsteps". theroar.com.au. 9 August 2022. Retrieved 6 March 2023.