An 18-year-old and a 20-year-old Socceroo have just been sold for more than $60 million between them as Australia’s post-World Cup transfer boom gathers serious momentum.
Lucas Herrington and Nestory Irankunda have headlined a frantic window for the Socceroos, sealing blockbuster moves to Hull City and Sporting CP respectively after Australia’s run to the Round of 32.
But they are far from alone.
Eight members of Australia’s 26-man World Cup squad have now sealed moves since the tournament, with Socceroos heading to the Premier League, Bundesliga, Ligue 1 and beyond as clubs cash in on some breakout World Cup performances.
From record-breaking deals and Champions League opportunities to European moves and some familiar faces returning closer to home, Roo Radar tracks every confirmed Socceroos transfer since the World Cup.
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LUCAS HERRINGTON – HULL CITY
Lucas Herrington completed a record-breaking move to newly promoted Premier League side Hull City, joining from MLS outfit Colorado Rapids.
Hull are believed to have paid £17 million (A$32.5m) for the 18-year-old defender, with £12.6m paid upfront and the remainder in add-ons, although the official fee remains undisclosed.
The deal makes Herrington the most expensive Australian footballer ever, surpassing the A$25m Leicester City paid for Harry Souttar following the 2022 World Cup.
It caps a staggering rise for the former Brisbane Roar youngster, who only moved to Colorado earlier this year and was not even starting for the Young Socceroos 18 months ago.
NESTORY IRANKUNDA – SPORTING CP
Nestory Irankunda completed a blockbuster move to Portuguese giants Sporting CP, joining from Watford for a reported £17 million ($32.5m).
The 20-year-old has also reportedly been handed a whopping $130 million release clause as Sporting lock down one of Australian football’s brightest talents.
The move caps a remarkable rise for the former Adelaide United star, who only joined Watford from Bayern Munich last year before starring for the Socceroos at the World Cup.
After scoring an unforgettable goal in Australia’s 2-0 win over Turkiye in Vancouver, Irankunda declared he believed a move to the top level was coming, and he now gets his chance with the reigning Portuguese giants.
Most significantly, the move will give Irankunda the opportunity to feature in the UEFA Champions League as he takes the next major step in his career.
JACKSON IRVINE – CEREZO OSAKA
Socceroos star Jackson Irvine joined J-League club Cerezo Osaka, bringing an end to his five-year spell with German side St. Pauli.
The 33-year-old makes the move to Japan after more than a decade playing across Scotland, England and Germany, marking his first move outside European club football since leaving Australia.
Irvine departs St. Pauli after becoming one of the club’s most influential figures during his five seasons in Hamburg and will now bring that experience to one of Asia’s strongest leagues.
PAUL OKON-ENGSTLER – 1. FC KOLN
Paul Okon-Engstler turned his impressive World Cup showing into a move to the Bundesliga, joining 1. FC Koln from Sydney FC.
The German club has reportedly paid €1 million (A$1.65m) for the 21-year-old midfielder, who has signed a deal through until 2030.
Okon-Engstler boosted his stocks with an impressive performance in Australia’s 2-0 World Cup victory over Turkiye, starting and producing a brilliant assist for Nestory Irankunda’s opening goal.
The son of Socceroos great Paul Okon will now make the jump from the A-League to one of Europe’s top-five leagues with a Koln side that finished 14th in the Bundesliga last season.
PATRICK BEACH – TROYES
Patrick Beach has turned his breakout World Cup campaign into a move to Europe, joining newly promoted Ligue 1 side Troyes from Melbourne City.
The 22-year-old goalkeeper remains within the City Football Group network as he makes the jump from the A-League to one of Europe’s top-five leagues.
Beach emerged as one of Australia’s breakout stars at the World Cup after surprisingly being handed the gloves ahead of long-time captain Mathew Ryan.
He kept two clean sheets during the group stage and retained his place throughout the Socceroos’ run to the Round of 32, with his performances now earning him a major opportunity in France.
AWER MABIL – MELBOURNE CITY
Awer Mabil is heading home, signing a three-year deal with Melbourne City after a decade playing abroad.
The 30-year-old Socceroos winger joins City from Spanish second division side Castellon, bringing an end to a European stint that included spells in Denmark, Spain and Switzerland.
Mabil made more than 300 appearances during his time abroad and featured in both the Champions League and Europa League before sealing his return to the A-League.
The two-time World Cup Socceroo will now link up with fellow internationals Mathew Leckie and Aziz Behich at City as he returns to Australian club football for the first time since leaving Adelaide United in 2015.
AJDIN HRUSTIC – AL NASR
Ajdin Hrustic has made the move to the United Arab Emirates, joining Al Nasr following his departure from Dutch side Heracles.
The 30-year-old Socceroos midfielder joins on a free transfer after his contract expired following Heracles’ relegation last season.
Hrustic arrives in the UAE after recording four goals and seven assists in 30 appearances across all competitions for Heracles in 2025/26.
The 30-time Socceroo follows in the footsteps of Australian greats Mark Bresciano and Brett Holman, who both previously played for Al Nasr.
CAMMY DEVLIN — RANGERS
Cammy Devlin completed a move to Scottish giants Rangers on a free transfer after leaving Hearts at the end of his contract.
The Socceroos midfielder departed Hearts after the two parties were unable to agree terms on a new deal, ending his five-year stay at Tynecastle.
Devlin has signed an initial two-year deal at Ibrox with the option of a third season and will reunite with Rangers manager Derek McInnes.
TOP FIVE AUSTRALIAN TRANSFERS IN HISTORY (AUD)
T1. Lucas Herrington – $32.5 million (Colorado Rapids to Hull City, 2026/27)
T1. Nestory Irankunda – $32.5 million (Watford to Sporting CP, 2026/27)
3. Harry Souttar – $27.9 million (Stoke City to Leicester City, 2022/23)
4. Harry Kewell – $16.4 million (Leeds United to Liverpool, 2003/04)
5. Mark Viduka – $15 million (Celtic to Leeds United, 2000/01)