Perth Glory have moved to secure the future of Sebastian Despotovski, upgrading the son of club legend Bobby Despotovski to a senior contract following an impressive season. The 20-year-old has transitioned from his scholarship deal and committed to the club on a two-year extension that runs through the 2027-28 campaign.
Breakthrough Season
Despotovski made his Glory debut in the final minutes of the 2024-25 season and established himself as a first-team regular over the past year. He played 18 matches as a forward, starting 13 of them and scoring three goals, two of which were match-winners. His most notable strike came in Perth's final match of the season against Brisbane Roar, where he scored an audacious long-range volley at The Shed end, a goal that nearly won the club's goal of the season award.
Versatility and Growth
Playing as a second striker or occasionally as a winger, Despotovski grew in confidence throughout the season. He appeared more physically comfortable as the campaign progressed, coming into his own late in the year. While he still has some way to match his father's achievements—Bobby Despotovski played 241 games and scored a club-record 113 goals—Glory director of football Stan Lazaridis expressed optimism about Sebastian's future.
"Seb is a naturally talented footballer who can influence the game from a number of positions," Lazaridis said. "He brings the kind of creative flair that our members and fans love to see, and it was great to see him step up and showcase his skills regularly in the A-League last season. Like all our young players, he still has plenty to learn, but there is no doubt in my mind that he has a very high ceiling, and we're really excited to watch his development continue over the next couple of years."
The new contract reflects Perth Glory's commitment to nurturing young talent and building for the future. Despotovski's rise from scholarship player to senior squad member underscores the club's faith in his potential.
