A little over an hour into Hull City’s Premier League opener against Manchester United, Lucas Herrington was called from the bench. With Hull leading 2-0, Sergej Jakirović introduced the 18-year-old Australian after goalscorer Nobel Mendy suffered an injury, giving the young defender a specific task.
“I understood exactly what I needed to do,” Herrington says, reflecting on his debut two weeks later. “We had to protect the lead and finish the match strongly. We knew they would put us under pressure and commit more players forward, especially after making attacking substitutions.”
At that stage, Herrington had been in the UK for only slightly more than a week. He had arrived after completing a five-year move from MLS club Colorado Rapids. Although reports differ over the transfer fee and how much of it depends on additional payments, the deal is widely regarded as one of the largest involving an Australian international. It also made him the costliest Australian teenager and produced a record return for an MLS defender.
Describing the Queenslander’s progress as rapid barely captures the scale of his development. He will celebrate his 19th birthday this weekend when Hull host Aston Villa, almost exactly a year after he appeared in a preseason fixture against NPL QLD team Olympic FC. His future move to the Rapids had already been confirmed at the time, but few could have predicted that he would soon become a regular in the United States, earn his senior international debut, play at a World Cup and secure a Premier League transfer.
Herrington has appeared as a substitute in each of Hull’s first two matches. His newly promoted team are among only four clubs to retain a perfect record, alongside Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal. Neither Hull’s start nor the teenager’s immediate involvement was widely anticipated, particularly given that he has played fewer than 50 senior matches. Even so, he already appears comfortable with challenges that should feel far more intimidating.
“I wouldn’t call it easy, but I’ve really enjoyed it,” he says. “The pace and intensity mean you can never lose concentration. You must constantly check what is around you and keep talking to your teammates. Communication is especially important in my position because I can see the entire pitch, so the experience has been excellent.”
Away from football, Herrington is adjusting to being recognised by supporters and asked to pose for pictures around Hull. He has also bought a car he considers suitable for a Premier League training-ground car park. On the field, he is excited by the prospect of facing elite forwards, with Manchester City star Erling Haaland particularly catching his attention. “When you think about strikers, it’s difficult to look beyond him,” Herrington says.
“It all feels quite surreal. This is the path I always hoped my career would take, and I’m extremely thankful to every coach who trusted me. That includes Socceroos manager Tony Popovic, who gave me the chance to play at a World Cup at such a young age, as well as all the club coaches who supported my development. Every opportunity has meant a great deal to me.”
Australia has produced several promising young players in recent years, but few have advanced as quickly as Herrington.
Former Brisbane Roar coach Ruben Zadkovich called Herrington “the leading defender in Australian football” before the teenager had even appeared in the A-League, much less the Premier League. Australia captain Harry Souttar praised his composure after his World Cup debut against Paraguay. Popovic showed further confidence by selecting him for a knockout match against Egypt and allowing him to take a penalty during the decisive last-32 shootout. In North America, teammates repeatedly used glowing language when discussing his performances and potential.
Zlatan Ibrahimović also kept his promise to speak with Herrington following the youngster’s penalty miss against Egypt. “He told me not to be afraid of anybody and reminded me that I had earned the right to be there,” Herrington says. “He knows the competition from his own experience, and his advice was to enjoy myself, work hard and remain true to who I am. Playing in the Premier League is an incredible opportunity.”
Herrington will face another period of adjustment when his mother returns to Brisbane after helping him settle into life in Yorkshire. She watched from the stands when he made his debut against United. Despite his age, the calmness he demonstrates during matches also appears to define his personality away from the pitch. His international teammates have praised his attitude and maturity as frequently as they have highlighted his technical qualities.
“My parents have always taught me the importance of humility, staying grounded and continuing to work,” he says. “I’m still only 18, so there are many areas in which I need to develop. I remind myself of that every day, and many of my coaches have delivered the same message. Hearing it consistently from the people around me encourages me to remain humble and keep improving.
“I try to maintain a positive outlook while recognising that I still have plenty to learn. I’m nowhere near the finished article, so the priority is to continue working hard.”
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