Jake Girdwood-Reich

Jake Max Girdwood-Reich (born 26 May 2004) is an Australian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Sydney FC.

Early life

Jake Max Girdwood-Reich was born on 26 May 2004 in Clovelly, New South Wales to a Scottish father and a Jewish mother. His middle name Max is a tribute to his maternal grandfather, a Holocaust survivor who migrated to Australia after World War II. His mother briefly worked with UNICEF in Sydney, which eventually partnered with Sydney FC in 2012. A photo of six years old Girdwood-Reich, wearing the 2010–11 Barcelona kit, was used on the day of the announcement.

Girdwood-Reich grew up a Sydney FC supporter and became a member when he was six years old. He is also a supporter of Premier League club Arsenal and Scottish club Rangers through the influence of his father. Girdwood-Reich attended Clovelly Public School and Endeavour Sports High School, playing for both the school football teams and state school teams. Outside of school, he played junior football for Sydney University, Sydney Olympic and Scottish club St Johnstone.

Girdwood-Reich later played in the under-13s for APIA Leichhardt before signing for Sydney FC Youth at the age of 12. He also played futsal for Mascot Vipers and the NSW representative futsal team before retiring from the sport to focus on football.

Club career

Girdwood-Reich made his professional debut in an Australia Cup Round of 32 match for Sydney against Central Coast Mariners on 31 July 2022. He made his A-League Men debut for the club as a substitute on 29 October 2022 against Macarthur FC.

Jake won the Sydney FC Rising Star Award at the 2022 Sky Blue Awards night shortly after being promoted to the A-League from the NPL squad.