In high school, he set a transfer-fee record. Now Messi and the US await

2 months ago 16

Even before making his professional debut, Lucas Herrington was lauded by former coach Ruben Zadkovich as the best defender in Australia. It was lofty praise for a teenager still in high school.

Fast-forward 12 months and the Brisbane talent has finished his education and A-League apprenticeship, and will launch his next chapter in the United States after securing the biggest transfer fee in the Roar’s history.

That price tag – believed to be about $1 million – will come with expectations once he arrives at the Colorado Rapids, where he will no doubt come into the Socceroos’ calculations should he thrive facing the likes of Argentina and Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi.

Lucas Herrington will leave the Roar for America’s Major League Soccer.

But it’s a challenge Herrington tells this masthead that he’s eager to accept, even if a 2026 FIFA World Cup berth in America, Mexico and Canada may be a long shot.

“I’ve been a Roar fan my whole life, and to leave the Roar with a club-record fee is a pretty big achievement,” he said.

“The States are a really good place. I think it [the competition there] has really developed over the last few years, you’ve got a lot of top players like Messi, so it’s a really great challenge for me, and a really exciting prospect.

“With the World Cup in the States [in 2026], it’s going to get a lot more eyes and a lot more people coming and looking at it, so I think it’s a great opportunity for me.

“I want to represent the country as much as possible and as high as possible, so it’s always in the back of your mind when you’re going to play for the Socceroos. But performing at club level comes first, and you’ll get your rewards.

“I’m nervous; I’ve been in Brisbane my whole life, so it’s really different surroundings, but it’s a really good opportunity.”

Herrington will join a Colorado defensive system featuring former Arsenal FA Cup winner Rob Holding, who the 18-year-old intends to feed off in his push for higher honours.

His first move away from home will be a long way from his days watching his brother – Central Coast Mariners defender Diesel Herrington – while playing for Toowong FC in Brisbane’s riverside suburb.

Herrington, who juggled his studies at Anglican Church Grammar School (Churchie) with his A-League pursuits – along with some cooking lessons in the kitchen of mum and dad – said: “You miss out on a lot of things, but I want to be a footballer. It comes with sacrifices.

“My brother moved overseas when he was 18 and then came back, so me leaving now, I’m sure mum and dad will be excited but sad that both kids are gone. They [parents] are so key in a footballer’s career, and they’ve been key to mine.

Lucas Herrington sat down with this masthead at his childhood club, Toowong FC, to discuss his looming move to the Colorado Rapids.

“[The move] comes with a lot of challenges – America is a very different country to Australia – but there are a lot of life lessons to be learnt over there. I’m looking forward to learning to look after myself. Mum and dad have been there for me for the past 18 years, but it’s going to build me massively.”

Herrington was in the crowd in 2014 when the Roar claimed their third title in four years, scoring in extra time to defeat the Western Sydney Wanderers under Mike Mulvey.

While the Roar have missed the past three finals campaigns, Herrington has helped inspire a complete turnaround under first-year coach Michael Valkanis, with the team now sitting third after five wins, three draws and a loss.

In addition to his goal in the 3-0 defeat of Newcastle, perhaps the greatest feather in the central defender’s cap has been the fact Brisbane have kept six clean sheets.

“I think last year we had one [clean sheet] all season, which came pretty late on. It’s definitely good to see. As a defender, you want to keep clean sheets … clean sheets win you games,” said Herrington, who will make his move to the US on January 5.

“Everyone at the Roar knows the past few years haven’t been good enough, and this year, to start so well, has been awesome. Michael has brought a new mentality, passion and attitude, and it’s been paying off.

“We’re glad to be bringing that back to Brisbane because it’s been missing for a long time.”