Eugene Galekovic
Eugene Galekovic | |
|---|---|
| Born | Eugen Josip Galekovic June 12, 1981 Australia |
| Occupation(s) | Football goalkeeper, coach |
| Years active | 2000–2019 (player) |
| Known for | Professional football goalkeeper for Adelaide United and other clubs; assistant coach at Adelaide United |
Eugen Josip Galekovic ( ; , ; born 12 June 1981) is a retired Australian professional football goalkeeper. He currently serves as both the goalkeeper and assistant coach for Adelaide United. With more than 250 appearances in the A-League, including 238 matches representing Adelaide United, he is widely considered one of the finest goalkeepers in A-League history and a pivotal figure in the club's legacy.
Club career
Galekovic developed his early football skills primarily with Chelsea Hajduk located in Melbourne's south-east, alongside playing school-level football at St Bede's College.
At 19 years old, he launched his professional career with NSL team Gippsland Falcons in December 2000, before transferring to the prominent Australian club South Melbourne the following season.
South Melbourne FC
Starting as the backup goalkeeper to Socceroos' Dean Anastasiadis, Galekovic made his debut in 2002 facing Melbourne Knights. He quickly established himself as the first-choice keeper ahead of Michael Theo. During his tenure, he accumulated 37 appearances and maintained 17 clean sheets, which led to his initial selection for the Olyroos. He stayed with South Melbourne until the NSL concluded after the 2003–04 season, subsequently moving to Portuguese side Beira Mar after captaining Australia's Olympic squad at Athens 2004. Galekovic was also South Melbourne’s goalkeeper in their final national league fixture in 2004.
Melbourne Victory
Limited playing time at Beira Mar encouraged his return to Australia, where he joined the inaugural A-League club Melbourne Victory for the 2005–06 season. He made his first appearance against Sydney FC and participated in 11 matches, sharing goalkeeping duties with teammate Michael Theoklitos. During the 2006–07 season, he was initially second choice but stepped into the starting role following an injury to Theoklitos.
Adelaide United
On 30 October, Galekovic signed with rivals Adelaide United to provide cover for injured Daniel Beltrame. He debuted against Queensland Roar at Hindmarsh Stadium. His first clean sheet for Adelaide came on 20 January 2008, and on 27 December that year, he made crucial saves to secure a 1–0 victory over Perth Glory, marking his fifth shutout that season.
In February 2010, Galekovic received the Adelaide United Player of the Year Award. After captain Jon McKain stepped down midway through the 2011–12 season, Galekovic was appointed captain. He achieved his 250th appearance on 11 March 2016 despite a narrow 1–0 defeat to Melbourne City FC.
Melbourne City
On 16 June 2017, Galekovic committed to a two-year deal with Melbourne City FC. He featured in 35 league games before announcing his retirement at the conclusion of the 2018/19 campaign.
Return to Adelaide United
Following the completion of his contract with Melbourne City, Galekovic returned to Adelaide United in a coaching capacity as Goalkeeping Coach in 2019.
International
Galekovic received selections to the Australian squad due to his impressive displays in the A-League and Asian Champions League. He made his international debut on 28 January 2009 during an AFC Asian Cup qualifying match against Indonesia. Although initially omitted from the 2010 World Cup roster, he was later summoned as a substitute for Brad Jones. Under coach Holger Osieck, Galekovic participated in the qualifiers for the 2013 EAFF East Asian Cup, aiding Australia in achieving a 1–0 triumph over Hong Kong and contributing to a 9–0 win against Guam. He was included in the 23-player squad for the crucial 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC) fixture against Oman and was also named in Australia's team for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, albeit without making an appearance.
Career statistics
CS = Clean sheets
| Club | Season | League1 | Cup | International2 | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | CS | Apps | CS | Apps | CS | Apps | CS | ||
| Eastern Pride | 2000–01 | 11 | 1 | – | – | – | – | 11 | 1 |
| Total | 11 | 1 | – | – | – | – | 11 | 1 | |
| South Melbourne | 2001–02 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 0 | 0 |
| 2002–03 | 15 | 7 | – | – | – | – | 15 | 7 | |
| 2003–04 | 22 | 10 | – | – | – | – | 22 | 10 | |
| Total | 37 | 17 | – | – | – | – | 37 | 17 | |
| Beira-Mar | 2004–05 | 2 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 2 | 0 |
| Total | 2 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 2 | 0 | |
| Melbourne Victory | 2005–06 | 11 | 4 | 2 | 1 | – | – | 13 | 5 |
| 2006–07 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 1 | – | – | 8 | 2 | |
| 2007–08 | – | – | 1 | 0 | – | – | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 15 | 5 | 7 | 2 | – | – | 22 | 7 | |
| Adelaide United | 2007–08 | 11 | 1 | – | – | – | – | 11 | 1 |
| 2008–09 | 22 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 14 | 7 | 39 | 19 | |
| 2009–10 | 27 | 6 | – | – | 7 | 3 | 34 | 9 | |
| 2010–11 | 29 | 9 | – | – | – | – | 29 | 9 | |
| 2011–12 | 25 | 3 | – | – | 10 | 6 | 35 | 9 | |
| 2012–13 | 25 | 8 | – | – | – | – | 25 | 8 | |
| 2013–14 | 28 | 8 | – | – | – | – | 28 | 8 | |
| 2014–15 | 26 | 7 | 3 | 2 | – | – | 29 | 9 | |
| 2015–16 | 22 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 26 | 12 | |
| 2016–17 | 23 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 3 | |
| Total | 238 | 67 | 10 | 4 | 32 | 16 | 280 | 87 | |
| Melbourne City | 2017–18 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 3 |
| 2018–19 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 6 | |
| Total | 18 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 9 | |
1Includes statistics from A-League finals series
2Encompasses appearances in FIFA Club World Cup and AFC Champions League (recorded in the following season after group stages)
Player
Melbourne Victory
- A-League Championship title secured in 2006–07
- A-League Premiership winner for the 2006–07 season
Adelaide United
- Winner of the FFA Cup in 2014
- Captured the A-League Premiership in 2015–16
- Achieved the A-League Championship during the 2015–16 campaign
Australia
- Champion of the AFC Asian Cup in 2015
Individual
- Awarded A-League Goalkeeper of the Year for four seasons: 2008–09, 2009–10, 2013–14, and 2014–15
- Named Adelaide United Club Champion twice: 2008–09 and 2009–10
- Honoured as Adelaide United Player's Player of the Year in 2008–09, 2009–10, and 2011–12
- Selected for the A-League PFA Team of the Season on five occasions: 2008–09, 2009–10, 2012–13, 2013–14, and 2014–15
- Participated in the A-League All Stars squad in 2014
- Included in the prestigious PFA A-League Team of the Decade spanning 2005 to 2015
Individual Records
- Holds the record for the highest number of Goalkeeper of the Year Awards, with a total of four honors