Australian · Smithfield, New South Wales · Born 22 September 1978Australia's most naturally gifted footballer, a left winger whose technical brilliance earned him a move to Liverpool and a distinguished European career.
Harry Kewell was born on 22 September 1978 in Sydney, Australia, to an English father and Australian mother, and grew up supporting Liverpool from afar. He joined Leeds United's academy as a teenager, moving to England, and made his first-team debut in 1996, quickly developing into one of the most gifted attacking players of his generation, renowned for his close control and eye for a spectacular goal. Kewell spent seven seasons at Leeds, helping the club reach the semi-finals of the 2001 Champions League, before signing for boyhood club Liverpool in 2003. He became the only Australian-born player to win the Champions League, netting a place in the starting line-up for Liverpool's dramatic 2005 final win over AC Milan in Istanbul, though injury forced him off before the match's famous comeback. Kewell earned 58 caps for Australia, scoring a crucial goal against Croatia at the 2006 World Cup that helped send the Socceroos through to the knockout stages for just the second time in the country's history. In 2012, Australian fans, players, and media voted him the country's greatest-ever football player. After Liverpool, Kewell played for Galatasaray in Turkey before returning home to Australia's A-League with Melbourne Victory and Melbourne Heart. He moved into management after retiring, taking charge of several English lower-league clubs before international coaching roles in Vietnam and Japan.
First Australian to score in a Champions League final
He scored in the 2007 Champions League final for Liverpool against AC Milan — becoming one of a very select group of players to score in multiple Champions League finals, despite his career being plagued by injury.
Did You Know?How They Played
Versatile attacking midfielder/winger with pace, skill, and ability to score from wide positions
Lasting Impact
Paved the way for Australian players in top European leagues and inspired a generation
Career Honours
- Champions League 2005 (Liverpool)
- Champions League 2005
- Premier League 1999-2000
- FA Cup 2006
| Club | Period | Fee | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leeds United | 1996–2003 | — | 181 | 45 |
| Liverpool | 2003–2008 | £5m | 93 | 12 |
| Galatasaray | 2008–2011 | — | 63 | 22 |
| Melbourne Victory | 2011–2012 | — | 25 | 8 |
| Al-Gharafa | 2013–2013 | — | 3 | 1 |
| Melbourne Heart | 2013–2014 | — | 16 | 2 |
 Australia | — | — | 58 | 17 |
Australian Athletes