Alec Mills has been included in the Young Socceroos squad.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It's been a whirlwind year for the 18-year-old who was signed by A-League outfit Melbourne City in the off-season.
Mills made his senior debut for Murray United midway through last year and impressed scouts at City enough to earn a trial.
By December, he was offered a contract to play in City's under-20s side in the NPL 2 East competition.
He's continued to thrive in that role and been rewarded with a call-up into Gary van Egmond's 30-man squad for an upcoming training camp at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra from July 28 to August 2.
Following the camp, a final squad of 23 will head to Vietnam for the 2019 Asian Football Federation under-18 Championship, which starts on August 6.
Mills will be joined in the training squad by housemates Gianluca Iannucci, who originally hails from Cobram and Mitchell Graham, as well as a third Melbourne City teammate in Bradley Chick.
ALSO IN SPORT:
"It was very unexpected, but it's good to be in the Australian squad," Mills said.
"It's been very quick. I signed eight months ago for the 20s (at Melbourne City), got to seniors and now going to Canberra to trial for Australia.
"About four weeks ago I got an email saying I was in a squad of 40 being monitored and about two weeks ago I was told I had been selected to go to Canberra and train.
"After that, they'll decide if I go to Vietnam or not.
"I think we're training in Canberra for four days and straight away we go to Vietnam or get sent back home."
Mills believes all the hard work he has put in with his father, Darrell - his former coach, is starting to pay off.
"Breaking into the senior squad (at Melbourne City) has been exciting. I've had five starts now," he said.
"I guess overall I've evolved into a better player this season."
Murray United technical director Adam Carty is delighted to see Mills get his opportunity.
"It's great to see how the development pathway has been able to support Alec through NPL and into A-League clubs and beyond," Carty said.
"It doesn't feel that long ago that he was playing at Murray and trialling with clubs like Canberra United and Newcastle, before getting his opportunity at Melbourne City.
"It's fantastic to see and it's testimony to all of his hard work over the years."
Receive our daily newsletter straight to your inbox each morning from The Border Mail. Sign up here