Jordan Holmes is hopeful a new contract with English Premier League club Bournemouth will help him achieve his dream of representing Australia at the Olympics.
The 21-year-old goalkeeper was one of six youth team players who re-signed with the Cherries at the end of the season.
Holmes, who joined the club as a 16-year-old and has been a substitute for the first team in high profile games against Manchester United and Chelsea, extended his time at Bournemouth for an extra season.
Holmes battled injury last season, missing four months and Australia’s under-23s Asian Cup campaign in January.
Home in the shire for a three-week break, Holmes spent last Wednesday with students at Sylvania Heights Public School and told the Leader he hoped a loan move and more playing time would help cement his place at Tokyo 2020.
“Hopefully to consistently keep getting called up for the Australian under-23s team. Be a part of that Olympic squad and hopefully fingers crossed get a loan out to the lower leagues. That’s what I want to do next season. League One, League Two, even Conference. Whatever, to play games. But that’s my biggest thing just to play some games,” he said.
“This is the big argument you have. Some clubs want you to keep training with them. They feel the best way is to get you better themselves. Whereas you want to play and I understand that and that’s what I want to do. I want to go play and I think we’re going to find a middle ground. Short term, I won’t rule out anywhere else in the world, hopefully in England. Six months somewhere just to get some games, get me playing and available for selection for the [Australian] 23s.
“I was fortunate to be a part of it. To get injured in December and miss out on the Asian Cup for the 23s in January was very disheartening but now I’ve got the bit between my teeth to just go for it. I’m back now and ready to take the spot.
“I rate my season very highly aside from the injury. I think I did very, very well every time I was called upon. In training, in games, whatever, I feel like I did really well. Unfortunately it was disrupted by injury but nevertheless, it didn’t affect me in the slightest so that was a positive to come out of the season.”
