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Paul Okon-Engstler

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Paul Okon-Engstler
Personal information
Full name Paul Michael Junior Okon-Engstler[1]
Date of birth (2005-01-24) 24 January 2005 (age 19)
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 6 (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 11 June 2024

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.

Club career

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Born 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

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Okon-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

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A 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

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  1. ^ Paul Okon-Engstler at WorldFootball.net
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ a b Rosengarten, Jake (20 July 2022). "Paul Okon Junior joins Portuguese giants Benfica". sport.optus.com.au. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  4. ^ "Paul Okon contratado" [Paul Okon hired]. slbenfica.pt (in Portuguese). 19 July 2022. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ "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.
  7. ^ "Young Socceroos Squad Named for Four Continents Tournament in Spain". socceroos.com.au. 13 September 2022. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  8. ^ "Olyroos squad named for Maurice Revello Tournament". Socceroos. Football Australia. 15 May 2023.
  9. ^ "Paul Okon Jr following in famous father's footsteps". theroar.com.au. 9 August 2022. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
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