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Michael Thwaite

From Alfawiki
Michael Thwaite
Born (1983-05-02) May 2, 1983 (age 43)
Cairns, Australia
OccupationProfessional soccer player (retired)

Michael Errol Thwaite (born 2 May 1983) is a retired Australian professional soccer player.

Education

He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Human Movement Science from CQUniversity Australia and holds an AFC B-Licence coaching certification.

Club career

Originating from Cairns, Thwaite commenced his amateur senior football journey with Edge Hill-Saints before securing a Warwick Segal scholarship to attend Sydney University. His professional career began with the Marconi Stallions in the NSL from 2002 to 2004, after which he moved to Romania. He later transferred on a Bosman free move from FC Naţional București in Romania's Divizia A to join Wisła Kraków.

On 28 January 2008, Thwaite signed with SK Brann, and by June that year, he was loaned out to Melbourne Victory. He netted his inaugural goal for Victory on 26 July 2008 during a pre-season cup victory over Perth Glory.

Following negotiations with Brann, he joined Gold Coast United on 5 January 2009. His first professional goal came on 1 February 2012 for Gold Coast against his former side Melbourne Victory, in a match that concluded 1–1.

After Gold Coast United was dissolved after the 2011–12 season, Thwaite signed with Perth Glory for the 2012–13 A-League campaign. His performances earned him a spot in the PFA team of the year and selection for the All Stars match against Juventus. Notably, he played every minute throughout the 2014–15 A-League season.

In the wake of Perth Glory’s salary cap breach during the 2014–15 season, Thwaite transferred mid-season in January to Chinese outfit Liaoning Whowin. During the 2016 Chinese Super League season, he appeared in 25 matches and scored three goals. However, due to adjustments in foreign player regulations and new acquisitions, he was released alongside teammate Dario Vidošić in February 2017.

Thwaite subsequently joined Western Sydney Wanderers for the 2017–18 season, registering one goal and reaching the milestone of 200 A-League appearances during the Sydney Derby on 25 February 2018. He returned to the Gold Coast following that season.

In 2019, he competed for Gold Coast United in the Queensland National Premier League. On 8 June that year, he celebrated his 100th competitive appearance for Gold Coast United by scoring against South West Queensland.

On 23 March 2021, Thwaite declared his retirement after nearly two decades as a professional footballer. Gold Coast United acknowledged his commitment and professionalism while emphasizing his significant impact across multiple competitions including NSL, international leagues, A-League, national squads, and NPL contests.

International career

Thwaite represented Australia at under-20 level during the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship held in the UAE and participated in qualifying for the 2004 Olympics. He made his senior international debut on 9 October 2005 in a friendly match where Australia defeated Jamaica 5–0 in London. Although selected for the landmark World Cup qualifying playoff against Uruguay, he did not feature as coach Guus Hiddink preferred more seasoned defenders. Thwaite was included in the Socceroos squad at the 2007 Asian Cup, where Australia advanced to the Quarter Finals, and was also part of the team that secured qualification for the 2014 World Cup.

Honours

Wisła Kraków

Melbourne Victory

Individual Achievements

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