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.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Paul Michael Junior Okon-Engstler[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 24 January 2005 | ||
| 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 | |||
Club career
editBorn 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
editOkon-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
editA 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
edit- ^ Paul Okon-Engstler at WorldFootball.net
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b Rosengarten, Jake (20 July 2022). "Paul Okon Junior joins Portuguese giants Benfica". sport.optus.com.au. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
- ^ "Paul Okon contratado" [Paul Okon hired]. slbenfica.pt (in Portuguese). 19 July 2022. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Young Socceroos Squad Named for Four Continents Tournament in Spain". socceroos.com.au. 13 September 2022. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
- ^ "Olyroos squad named for Maurice Revello Tournament". Socceroos. Football Australia. 15 May 2023.
- ^ "Paul Okon Jr following in famous father's footsteps". theroar.com.au. 9 August 2022. Retrieved 6 March 2023.