'Scoring vs Newcastle & bedridden in 2022' - Walsall new boy Jake Hollman's story so far
Walsall moved into double figures for incomings this summer after unveiling Australian midfielder Jake Hollman as their 10th signing of the window.
The 23-year-old penned a two-year deal with the option of a further year following his departure from A-League outfit Macarthur FC.
While Hollman might not be a name too familiar with British football fans, his arrival has created a lot of intrigue, and also highlights the Saddlers' expanding scouting network.
Hollman is the first player to sign for Walsall from outside the UK and Ireland since Omar Musa was plucked from Belgian club KV Mechelen's youth ranks in January 2019.
He will also be the first Australian to play at Bescot since Allan Picken in 2006 and the eighth in the club's history.
A family of footballers
Born in New South Wales in August 2001, Hollman started his footballing journey at Seaforth FC aged five alongside his younger brother Corey.
Although his father Steven played rugby, it soon became clear that both brothers had a future destined in football. Hollman continued his development at local clubs Manly United and FNSW NTC before eventually joining the youth ranks at Sydney FC.
His sister Shay also plays for Sydney FC Women and has lifted two A-League championships by the age of just 19.
His brother Corey plays professionally for the Sky Blues, but Jake made his breakthrough elsewhere when he joined A-League newcomers Macarthur FC in 2020.
A-League breakthrough
Macarthur announced a number of marquee signings ahead of their inaugural season in the Australian top-flight, but Hollman was earmarked as a key player for the future of the project.
