When Kosta Grozos tore his hamstring early in the 2017 season, he must have wondered whether his season would be a write off.
But the Western Sydney Wanderers academy star, and Marist Kogarah College student, came storming back from injury during the second half of the year.
The attacking midfielder from Kingsgrove netted 11 goals in 13 games for the Wanderers in the NPL 2 competition. He was later named the Wanderers NPL Player of the Year.
Kosta, 17, has now been called up to the Wanderers’ first squad on a scholarship.
Each club in the A-League is allowed up to six, under-20 players in their senior squad known as scholarship players.
Kosta said his goal this year was to get more experience with the first team and take any chances for game time in the A-League.
“Sometimes I won’t travel with the first team but I am in and around the first boys,” he said.
“I get to train with them and have been on the bench the last few games. It has been a whole new experience.”
He said he was rapt with his 2017 season especially being named the Wanderers NPL Player of the Year.
“I could not believe it. I did not think I would get it,” he said. “I had a big injury that put me out for a while. I tore my hamstring early on in the season and was out for two or three months.”
Kosta joined the Western Sydney Wanderers academy in 2015 following three seasons at the Sutherland Sharks.
He is also part of the Young Socceroos squad which will play at the 2018 AFC U19 Championships in Indonesia in October.
As well as football, Kosta will also tackle his HSCs this year at Marist Kogarah College.
- Wanderers scholarship players: Abraham Majok (forward), Kosta Grozos (midfielder), John Roberts (forward), Nicholas Suman (goalkeeper).