Archie Goodwin (soccer)

Archie Goodwin
Born	(2004-11-07) November 7, 2004 Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
Occupation	Professional soccer player
Years active	2021–
Known for	Youngest player and youngest goalscorer for Newcastle Jets; A-League Men Golden Boot winner (2024–25)

Archie Stuart Wayne Goodwin (born 7 November 2004) is a professional Australian soccer forward currently playing for Adelaide United in the A-League Men.

Originating from Cooks Hill, New South Wales, Goodwin started his football journey at Newcastle Jets, making his professional debut at just 16 years old in February 2021, becoming the youngest player to appear for the club. In June 2021, he set a club record as the youngest player to score a goal, contributing to Newcastle’s effort to avoid finishing last. His playing opportunities were limited by injuries throughout the 2021–22, 2022–23, and 2023–24 seasons. In June 2024, Goodwin transferred to Adelaide United, where he secured the A-League Men Golden Boot in his debut season by netting 13 goals—making him the youngest recipient of this accolade.

Goodwin has also represented Australia at various youth international levels.

Early life

Born on 7 November 2004 in Newcastle, New South Wales, Goodwin grew up in Cooks Hill. He began playing football with Cooks Hill United at age five before joining the under-9 squad of Newcastle Jets. Later, he lived in Hamilton East and attended Newcastle High School. During his final year completing the Higher School Certificate, Goodwin dedicated himself fully to football. As a child, he supported both Newcastle Jets and Premier League side Liverpool, drawing motivation from former player Craig Johnston for his perseverance.

Newcastle Jets

Throughout his youth tenure at Newcastle Jets, Goodwin endured multiple injuries, including breaking both feet three times within three years—a consequence of growth spurts. Nevertheless, he impressively scored 29 goals across 12 matches by the end of the under-15 season in 2019. Elevated to the National Premier Leagues team in 2020, he made eight appearances and scored once. After COVID-19 restrictions eased, Goodwin commenced training with the first team in May 2020.

He made his professional debut on 21 February 2021 at the age of 16 years and 106 days, becoming Newcastle Jets’ youngest-ever player to feature in a match. On 10 June 2021, Goodwin netted his inaugural senior goal—a long-range strike from 25 yards—in a 2–1 victory over Melbourne City, setting a new club record as the youngest goalscorer at 16 years and 151 days old. That season, he earned the club’s A-League Rising Star award.

Prior to the start of the 2021–22 A-League season, Goodwin was sidelined due to knee joint discomfort linked to intensive training and physical growth. After missing the initial 16 fixtures for recovery, he returned through youth-level matches where he scored five goals in two games. His comeback to first-team action was marked by scoring twice in a 2–0 win against Sydney FC, making him the youngest player to record a brace in league history. He added a third goal later that season during a playoff match against Perth Glory, aiding Newcastle’s progression to the Round of 32 in the 2022 Australia Cup. On 25 May 2022, Goodwin renewed his contract with Newcastle Jets for an additional three years.

During the pre-season ahead of the 2022–23 campaign, Goodwin remained free from injury for the first time since joining senior ranks. He scored two goals early in the league before being sidelined due to a back injury and groin tear sustained after international duty. Following surgery in May, he resumed full training by June in preparation for the Australia Cup. He scored during a July cup victory over Melbourne Victory but was soon sidelined again because of lower back spasms requiring two surgeries and resulting in a fourteen-week absence.

Goodwin made his return on 25 November 2023, scoring in a 3–1 loss against Central Coast Mariners during the F3 Derby. After accumulating two goals across twenty league appearances, Newcastle Jets announced his departure along with eight other players in May 2024. The club’s CEO revealed that Goodwin declined their final contract offer as he sought new opportunities elsewhere.

Adelaide United

On 6 June 2024, Goodwin committed to a four-year deal with Adelaide United. He made his first appearance and found the net during a pre-season friendly against local team The Cove FC, contributing to a commanding 9-0 triumph. By 7 February 2025, Goodwin had netted his eighth goal of the campaign in a narrow 1-0 victory over Melbourne City, thereby exceeding his entire league goal tally from his time at Newcastle within a single season. Unfortunately, in the concluding fixture—a goalless draw against Melbourne City—he sustained a hamstring injury that ruled him out of the 2024/25 A-League Final Series. Analysts Simon Hill and Andy Harper voiced concerns considering his previous injury setbacks at Newcastle. Nonetheless, Goodwin concluded his debut season at Adelaide with 13 goals across 26 matches, earning the 2024–25 A-League Golden Boot jointly with Adrian Segecic, and setting the record as the youngest recipient of this accolade.

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			Cup		Continental		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Newcastle Jets FC Youth	2020	NPL 2 NSW	8	1	–		–		–		8	1
	2021	NPL 4 NSW	9	5	–		–		–		9	5
	2022	NSW League Three	4	9	–		–		–		4	9
	Club total		21	15	–		–		–		21	15
Newcastle Jets FC	2020–21	A-League	8	1	0	0	–		–		8	1
	2021–22		8	2	1	1	–		–		9	3
	2022–23		8	2	1	0	–		–		9	2
	2023–24		20	2	1	1	–		–		21	3
	Club total		44	7	3	2	–		–		47	9
Adelaide United	2024–25	A-League	26	13	0	0	–		0	0	26	13
Career total			91	35	3	2	0	0	0	0	94	37

Honours

Individual

• A-League Golden Boot: 2024-25