Alexander Bonetig (born 20 August 2002) is an Australian footballer who plays as a defender for A-League club Western Sydney Wanderers. Born in Shellharbour, New South Wales, Bonetig has been playing with the Wanderers since signing with the academy in 2016.[3]
 Bonetig with Western Sydney Wanderers in 2022 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Alexander Bonetig[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 20 August 2002[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Shellharbour, New South Wales, Australia | ||
| Height | 1.87 m (6 ft 1+1⁄2 in)[2] | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Western Sydney Wanderers | ||
| Number | 4 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2016–2023 | Western Sydney Wanderers | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2021– | Western Sydney Wanderers NPL | 26 | (0) |
| 2023– | Western Sydney Wanderers | 16 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 2 May 2024 | |||
Club career
editYouth career
editBonetig started playing football at the age of 4 for Shellharbour Junior FC.[4] By the time he was 9, he had represented the Illawarra under-9s and SAP Southern Branch under-11s.[5] In November 2012, Bonetig was selected by a football clinic in Sydney to travel and train with Everton Academy. He had the opportunity to meet Australian international Tim Cahill and attend a Premier League match at Goodison Park against Sunderland.[5] Bonetig soon signed for Western Sydney Wanderers Youth in 2016.[6]
Western Sydney Wanderers
editBonetig was promoted to the first-team after signing a two-year scholarship contract for Western Sydney Wanderers on 9 June 2022.[6] He made his professional debut as a substitute on 22 January 2023 in a 1–1 draw to Newcastle Jets at McDonald Jones Stadium.[7] Bonetig made two more league appearances as a substitute, which had him feature in a 4–0 Sydney Derby win.[8]
Bonetig made his starting debut for Wanderers on 29 August 2023 in a 5–1 cup victory over Adelaide United.[8] He was soon ruled out until December due to a broken bone in his foot, which was sustained in the opening league match against Wellington Phoenix.[9] Bonetig extended his contract with the club through a three-year deal on 16 November 2023.[10][11]
Personal life
editBonetig was raised in Shellharbour, New South Wales.[3] He has a younger brother, Liam, who plays for Celtic in Scotland.[12][13][14][15][16] The two previously played together at Western Sydney Wanderers Youth.[4][17] Bonetig's father, Mineo, was a former footballer for Wollongong Wolves during their time in the National Soccer League.[4][18]He is also the cousin of Macarthur FC player Oliver Randazzo.[4][19]
Both Alex and Liam attended Edmund Rice College in Wollongong.[15] Alex was awarded the 2020 Sportsman of the Year Award by his school in their Year 12 Graduation.[20]
References
edit- ^ a b "A. Bonetig: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
- ^ "Alex Bonetig Stats and Ratings". Sofascore. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
- ^ a b "Alex Bonetig - Western Sydney Wanderers". Western Sydney Wanderers. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
- ^ a b c d Warren, Jordan (26 January 2023). "Bonetig achieves lifelong dream but won't stop there". Illawarra Mercury. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
- ^ a b Driscoll, Mike (3 April 2012). "Football fan Alex off to England to meet Tim Cahill". Illawarra Mercury.
- ^ a b "Wanderers promote Bonetig on two-year scholarship deal". Western Sydney Wanderers. 9 June 2022. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
- ^ Warren, Jordan (26 January 2023). "Bonetig achieves lifelong dream but won't stop there". Illawarra Mercury. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
- ^ a b "Bonetig all business on the pitch". Western Sydney Wanderers. 19 October 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
- ^ "Isuzu UTE A-League: Wanderers injury update". Western Sydney Wanderers. 28 November 2023. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
- ^ "Bonetig signs two-year contract extension". Western Sydney Wanderers. 16 November 2023. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
- ^ Latifi, Agron (16 November 2023). "'Really big for me': Shellharbour junior Alex Bonetig extends Wanderers stay". Illawarra Mercury. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
- ^ "Liam Bonetig signs with Celtic". Western Sydney Wanderers. 15 September 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
- ^ Lancaster, Will (14 September 2023). "Celtic pull off transfer swoop as Aussie starlet QUITS boyhood club for Parkhead". Daily Record. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
- ^ Macdonald, Aiden (14 September 2023). "Celtic B sign Australian defender Liam Bonetig on three-year deal". The Celtic Way. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
- ^ a b Warren, Jordan (15 September 2023). "Shellharbour's Liam Bonetig signs with Scottish powerhouse Celtic". Illawarra Mercury. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
- ^ Pisani, Sacha (15 September 2023). "Celtic have announced the signing of another Australian". keepup.com. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
- ^ Pisani, Sacha (27 March 2023). "Watch: One of Australia's brightest young talents goes viral with astonishing 'weak foot' goal". A-League. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
- ^ Warren, Jordan (22 September 2023). "Shellharbour junior Liam Bonetig to embark on his Celtic adventure". Illawarra Mercury. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
- ^ James, Euan; Sutherland, Don (23 September 2024). "Cousins set for first Subway Young Socceroos appearance together". Football Australia. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
- ^ "Year 12 Awards - 2020". Edmund Rice College. ERC Community Manager. 13 November 2020. Retrieved 22 October 2023.