Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday are locking horns in the race for Australian teen sensation Thomas Waddingham, talkSPORT understands.
It is also understood striker Waddingham’s transfer will net A-League club Brisbane Roar a six-figure fee, with the deal also poised to be completed in the early weeks of the January transfer window.
Although Waddingham only made his debut for the Roar in August 2023, he has wasted little time in cementing himself as a serious goal threat in the A-League.
The 19-year-old has scored 15 goals in 37 games across all competitions for Brisbane, with 11 of those coming in the Australian top flight.
Waddingham’s 11 league goals also places him second in A-League history for the most goals scored before the age of 20, with Nestory Irankunda’s tally of 16 the record to beat.
However, the advanced interest of Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday may mean Waddingham misses out on the chance to surpass Irankunda’s record.
Waddingham’s rapid rise to prominence hasn’t just caught the eye of Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday either.
talkSPORT understands German giants Bayern Munich have also been monitoring the player but are unlikely to pursue a deal at this stage of his career.
Bayern have taken a keen eye to Australian teenagers in recent years, with Irankunda and goalkeeper Anthony Pavlesic both now on the Bavarians’ books.
Waddingham’s form this season, which has seen him score four goals in eight league games for Brisbane, has also earned him comparisons with legendary Australian striker Mark Viduka.
Viduka, who enjoyed stints at Leeds United, Middlesbrough and Newcastle, smashed home 92 goals in 240 Premier League appearances.
Affectionately known as ‘Dukes’, the 49-year-old is widely regarded as one of Australia’s greatest footballers.
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However, Brisbane manager Ruben Zadkovich was quick to pump the brakes on the Viduka comparisons and insisted Waddingham has lots more to do before he gets anywhere near the Aussie icon’s level.
But Zadkovich felt the widespread praise for Waddingham was clear evidence he is ticking plenty of boxes, especially at such a young age.
“When the comparisons to Mark Viduka came out, it’s funny because I think of ‘Dukes’ like a god,” Zadkovich said.
“Back in my era, watching him play, he was just something from a different planet. Tommy’s got a long way to go before he gets anywhere near the big fella, but it’s nice that people draw those comparisons.
“That’s a compliment to the way he’s playing. People are talking about him and with good reason, because he’s out there and he’s leading the line for a club at 19 years old.”
Should Waddingham join Middlesbrough, he would add to a lengthy list of Australians who have called the Riverside Stadium home.
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Mark Schwarzer and Viduka are arguably the two most high-profile Australians to have played for Middlesbrough.
Middlesbrough also boast three Australians on their books at present in the form of Riley McGree and Tom Glover along with Sammy Silvera who is on loan at Portsmouth, so Waddingham will have plenty of help when it comes to settling in if he moves to Teesside.
Sheffield Wednesday’s history with Australians is far shorter, with only four appearing for the Owls in their history.
The two sides played out an enthralling contest on Boxing Day as the Owls came back from a 3-0 deficit to secure a 3-3 draw.
Middlesbrough sit seventh in the Championship on 36 points while Sheffield Wednesday lay in ninth on 33 points.