James Holland (soccer)

James Holland
Born	James Robert Holland (1989-05-15) May 15, 1989 Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
Occupation	Retired professional footballer
Years active	2006–2024
Known for	Midfielder for Central Coast Mariners, Newcastle Jets, Austria Wien, Adelaide United, and Australia national team

James Robert Holland (born 15 May 1989) is a retired Australian footballer who operated primarily as a midfielder.

Originating from Newcastle, New South Wales, Holland honed his skills at the New South Wales Institute of Sport before making his professional debut with Central Coast Mariners in 2006. He also represented the Australian Institute of Sport and spent two seasons playing for Newcastle Jets. Following this, Holland pursued his career in Europe, competing in leagues across the Netherlands, Germany, and Austria, with a significant tenure at Austria Wien. In 2016, he returned to Australia to sign with Adelaide United.

On the international stage, Holland made his first appearance for the Australian national team in 2008. He accumulated more than ten caps and was included in Australia's squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Club career

Holland led the NSW Under-16 team as captain during the 2005 Qantas National Talent Identification Championships, guiding them to a championship win. Holding an AIS Football scholarship in 2007, he contributed significantly to their successful campaign in the Victorian Premier League.

Newcastle Jets

Holland's A-League debut came with Newcastle Jets as an injury replacement; he scored in his inaugural match against Wellington Phoenix, becoming the league’s youngest goal scorer at that time. In October 2007, despite interest from Central Coast Mariners, he committed to a two-year professional contract with Newcastle Jets, having previously appeared three times for Mariners on a short-term basis.

He was a member of the Newcastle Jets squad that secured victory in the 2008 A-League Grand Final against Central Coast Mariners. During injury time, Holland was involved in a handball incident that went unpunished; he later clarified that it was accidental and he did not believe the ball struck his arm intentionally.

AZ Alkmaar

On 11 January 2009, Holland transferred from Newcastle Jets to Dutch side AZ Alkmaar for $650,000 (€350,000), signing a four-and-a-half-year deal after impressing during a trial period.

Sparta Rotterdam

On 19 January 2011, Holland moved on loan to Eerste Divisie club Sparta Rotterdam for the remainder of that season.

Austria Wien

Following a successful trial, Holland agreed to a one-and-a-half-year contract with Austrian Bundesliga outfit Austria Wien on 17 January 2012.

MSV Duisburg

For the 2015–16 season, Holland joined MSV Duisburg, competing in Germany’s 2. Bundesliga.

Adelaide United

In September 2016, Holland returned to the A-League by signing a two-year deal with Adelaide United. On 12 January 2017, head coach Guillermo Amor confirmed Holland’s exit from the club to pursue opportunities in China.

Liaoning Whowin

On 18 January 2017, Holland signed a two-year contract with Chinese Super League side Liaoning Whowin, joining fellow Australian Robbie Kruse. Both players ended their agreements in May 2017 due to delayed salary payments.

Return to Austria

In June 2017, Holland made his way back to Austria by signing with newly promoted Bundesliga outfit LASK.

International career

James represented Australia at both Under-20 and Under-23 levels, playing as a forward alongside his close associate Marko Jesic. He earned his first senior cap for the Socceroos in 2008 during a match against Singapore and was later included in the squad for the fixture against Ghana that May. Holland featured in the World Cup qualifying match versus China on 22 June 2008.

As captain, he led the Young Socceroos to triumph in the AFF U19 Championship, overcoming Korea Republic via penalties. Holland also captained Australia's squad at the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup held in Egypt, where he scored a penalty in a close defeat to the Czech Republic. Selected for Australia's squad at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, he did not make an appearance during the tournament.

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			Cup		Continental		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Central Coast Mariners	2006–07	A-League	0	0	3	0	-	-	3	0
AIS	2007	Victorian Premier League	24	3	0	0	-	-	24	3
Newcastle Jets	2007–08	A-League	11	3	0	0	-	-	11	3
	2008–09		12	0	0	0	0	0	12	0
	Total		23	3	0	0	0	0	23	3
AZ Alkmaar	2009–10	Eredivisie	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Sparta Rotterdam (loan)	2010–11	Eerste Divisie	14	2	0	0	-	-	14	2
Austria Wien	2011–12	Austrian Bundesliga	11	0	2	0	-	-	13	0
	2012–13		34	0	5	0	-	-	39	0
	2013–14		33	0	1	0	9	0	43	0
	2014–15		27	0	4	0	-	-	31	0
	Total		105	0	12	0	9	0	126	0
MSV Duisburg	2015–16	2. Bundesliga	29	0	1	0	-	-	30	0
Adelaide United	2016–17	A-League	13	0	0	0	0	0	13	0
Liaoning Whowin	2017	Chinese Super League	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
LASK	2017–18	Austrian Bundesliga	23	٠	1	٠	٠	٠	24	٠
	2018–19		28	3	3	٠	4	1	35	4
	2019 – 20		29	2	5	٠	10	1	44	3
	202021		27	3	6	٠	6	٠	39	3
	202122		23	٠	3	٠	7	٠	35	٠
	Total		130	8	18	٠	27	2	175	10
Austria Wien	202223	Austrian Bundesliga	19	٠	3	٠	6	٠	28	٠
	202324		9	٠	3	1	4	٠	16	1
	Total		28	٠	6	1	10	٠	44	1
FK Austria Wien II	202223	2. Liga (Austria)	1	٠	٠	٠	٠	٠	1	٠
Career total			368	16	40	٠	46	2	454	18

International

National team appearances and goals by year

National team	Year	Appearances	Goals
Australia	2008	3	0
	2009	1	0
	2010	1	0
	2012	3	0
	2013	4	0
	2014	3	0
	2021	1	0
Overall total		16	0

Honours

Newcastle Jets

• A-League: 2007–08 season

Austria Wien

• Austrian Football Bundesliga: 2012–13 campaign

Australia

• AFF U-19 Youth Championship: 2008

See also

• List of Central Coast Mariners FC players
• List of Newcastle Jets FC players

External links

• James Holland on Aussie Footballers