Trent Sainsbury

Trent Sainsbury
Sainsbury with Australia in 2018
Personal information
Full name Trent Lucas Sainsbury[1]
Date of birth (1992-01-05) 5 January 1992 (age 32)[1]
Place of birth Thornlie, Western Australia, Australia
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[2]
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
 Central Coast Mariners
Number 4
Youth career
Armadale SC
2008–2009 Perth Glory
2009–2010 AIS
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2014 Central Coast Mariners 60 (1)
2014–2016 PEC Zwolle 28 (1)
2016–2018 Jiangsu Suning 34 (2)
2017 → Inter Milan (loan) 1 (0)
2018 → Grasshoppers (loan) 9 (0)
2018–2019 PSV Eindhoven 6 (0)
2019–2020 Maccabi Haifa 31 (2)
2020–2022 Kortrijk 45 (6)
2022–2024 Al-Wakrah 39 (2)
2024– Central Coast Mariners 0 (0)
International career‡
2007–2009 Australia U17 12 (1)
2009–2011 Australia U20 9 (0)
2014–2022 Australia 61 (4)
Medal record
Representing  Australia
AFC Asian Cup
Winner 2015 Australia
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23 August 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 25 May 2024

Trent Lucas Sainsbury (born 5 January 1992) is an Australian professional soccer player who plays for Central Coast Mariners.

Sainsbury was born in Thornlie, Perth and played youth football with Perth Glory and the Australian Institute of Sport before starting his professional career with Central Coast Mariners. Sainsbury moved to PEC Zwolle in 2014.

Sainsbury has made over 50 appearances for the Australian national team. He was a member of the Australia team which won the 2015 AFC Asian Cup.

Early life

Sainsbury was born in Thornlie, Perth, Western Australia.[3] He attended Forest Crescent Primary School and Kelmscott Senior High School.[4]

Trent started playing football at a very early age at Armadale Junior Soccer Club in Armadale, Western Australia.[3]

Club career

Youth

Sainsbury began his youth career at Perth Glory in 2008 before moving a year later to the AIS where he was part of their National Youth League squad in the 2009–10 season.[5]

Central Coast Mariners

Sainsbury with the Mariners in 2012

In 2010, Sainsbury was signed by the Central Coast Mariners along with Sam Gallagher.[5] Trent and Mariners teammate Marc Warren were selected to spend two weeks at Sheffield United's Academy as part of the two clubs' partnership.[6] His senior debut came for the Mariners on 24 November 2010 in an F3 Derby draw with Newcastle Jets, with Sainsbury earning praise from coach Graham Arnold for his performance.[7] Trent went on to make a total of nine appearances in the first team that year.[3]

During the successful 2011–12 campaign, it was announced that Sainsbury had signed a two-year contract extension with the club.[8] The Mariners went on to win the 2011–12 A-League Premiership.[9] Trent again made nine league appearances for the club in this season.[3]

After breaking into the first team in the 2012-13 A-League season, Sainsbury formed a formidable partnership alongside Dutch defender Patrick Zwaanswijk.[3] This unit was central in helping the Mariners secure their maiden A-League Championship against Western Sydney Wanderers in the 2013 A-League Grand Final. The Mariners won the game 2–0 in front of 42,102 spectators at the Sydney Football Stadium.[10] Commentator and former Socceroo Mark Bosnich rated Sainsbury as his man of the match.[11] The official award went to Daniel McBreen.[12] Following the game, it was speculated that Sainsbury had attracted serious interest from European clubs including Southampton, Roda JC, Basel and Middlesbrough.[13]

In March 2013, Sainsbury was nominated for the NAB Young Footballer of the Year which was eventually won by Marco Rojas.[14] Sainsbury was named the Mariners Player of the Year for the 2012–13 season.[15] He was also named in the PFA A-League Team of the Season for 2012–13.[16]

After the announcement of the first A-League All Stars match, Sainsbury was considered one of the main contenders for a place in the squad.[17][18] He did not end up playing in the match due to international selection.

Sainsbury scored his first competitive goal for the Mariners on 3 April 2013, in a win over Guizhou Renhe in the 2013 AFC Champions League, his header with under ten minutes remaining proving to be the winner.[19] His first A-League goal for the side came from a corner in a 2–1 win over Perth Glory in December 2013.[20]

PEC Zwolle

2013–14 season

Sainsbury signed for PEC Zwolle in the Dutch Eredivisie on a two and half year deal in January 2014.[21] Sainsbury was immediately placed in the starting line-up, making his Eredivisie debut on 6 February 2014 in an away game against FC Utrecht. PEC won the game 2–1, but Sainsbury had to be replaced after 72 minutes after falling on a depressed sprinkler, hurting his knee in the process. It was discovered after the match that Sainsbury had fractured his kneecap on the sprinkler, an injury that would end up ruling him out for the remainder of the season. Fellow Australians Tommy Oar and Adam Sarota played in the match for Utrecht.[22]

His club PEC did end the season on a high note when they won their first major trophy in the club's history by defeating league champions Ajax 5–1 in the 2014 KNVB Cup Final, also securing European football for the first time.[23]

2014–15 season

Recovered from his knee injury, Sainsbury was reinstated in PEC's starting lineup for their first game of the season - the 2014 Dutch Supercup. The game was played against the same team that PEC defeated to win the KNVB Cup, 2013–14 league champions Ajax. Sainsbury was part of a defence that kept a clean sheet in a 1–0 win, securing PEC's second major trophy in the club's history in the space of 4 months.[24]

Sainsbury retained his place in the starting line-up for the first league game, at home against FC Utrecht. Lightning would strike again, as Sainsbury was subbed off with an ankle injury after 30 minutes of play, making it the second time in a row Sainsbury was forced out of a league game with an injury, both times against Utrecht. PEC won the game 2–0.

Jiangsu Suning

In January 2016, Sainsbury left PEC Zwolle on a $1.5 million transfer and signed a 3-year deal with Chinese Super League club Jiangsu Suning.[25]

Loan to Inter Milan

On 31 January 2017, it was confirmed that Jiangsu Suning loaned Sainsbury to sister club Inter Milan until 30 June 2017.[26] He made his debut on 28 May 2017 in a 5–2 win over Udinese in the last round of the season, coming on as a substitute for Davide Santon with twenty minutes to play.[27] This made him the first Australian to make a senior appearance for Inter Milan (Nathan Coe and Carl Valeri, former Australian internationals, only played for their reserves).[28]

Loan to Grasshoppers

In February 2018, Sainsbury moved on loan to Grasshoppers for the remainder of the 2017–18 Swiss Super League season.[29]

PSV Eindhoven

In August 2018, Sainsbury signed a 3-year contract with Dutch champions, PSV Eindhoven.[30]

Maccabi Haifa

On 30 August 2019, Sainsbury departed PSV for Israeli club Maccabi Haifa, joining the club on a two-year contract.[31] Following new coach Barak Bakhar not being impressed with Sainsbury's conduct and following a groin injury during a training camp, Sainsbury was released in August 2020 after 31 appearances in which he scored twice.[32][33]

Kortrijk

After leaving Maccabi Haifa, Sainsbury joined Belgian First Division A club Kortrijk on a two-year deal.[34][35] He scored his first goal for Kortrijk, the final goal in a 5–5 draw against Beerschot on 10 November 2020.[36]

Al-Wakrah

On 2 August 2022, he signed for Qatari club Al-Wakrah.[37]

Return to Central Coast Mariners

On 23 August 2024, it was announced that Sainsbury had returned to the Central Coast Mariners, after ten years playing overseas. He joined on a three year contract.[38] Sainsbury was named as the captain of the team for his first season back.[39]

On 17 September 2024, Sainsbury played his first competitive match for the club since 2014, an AFC Champions League Elite match against Shandong Taishan in China.[40] However, on the eve of the A-League season, Sainsbury suffered a pectoral injury which ruled him out for the first half of the season.[41]

International career

Under-17

Sainsbury was a member of the Australia U-17 team which attended the 2008 AFF U-16 Youth Championship.[42] The team won the tournament after beating Bahrain in a penalty shootout in the final.[43] He also played for the squad for the 2008 AFC U-16 Championship, scoring a goal in a loss to the UAE in the quarter-finals which saw Australia miss out on qualification for the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup.[44]

Under-20

Sainsbury was selected in Australia's squad for the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup where Australia finished bottom of their group with one draw and two losses. He played in all three of Australia's matches.[45]

Senior

Trent playing for Australia at the 2017 Confederations Cup

In May 2013, Trent was selected in a Socceroos Australian-based training squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers.[46] In July 2013, he made Australia's squad for the 2013 EAFF East Asian Cup.[47] Despite strong club form, Sainsbury was the only outfield player in the squad not to be used by coach Holger Osieck in the tournament, which he suggested may have been due to Osieck mistaking his laid-back attitude for a lack of commitment.[48]

Sainsbury's chances of playing in the 2014 FIFA World Cup were ultimately ended by a knee injury suffered playing for PEC Zwolle.[49]

In September 2014, Sainsbury made his International debut for Australia in a 2–0 loss to Belgium in a friendly. He later admitted to having been nervous before the game but earned praise from coach Ange Postecoglou for his performance against a strong opponent.[50]

Sainsbury was selected as part of Australia's 2015 AFC Asian Cup squad.[51] He started in Australia's first group game against Kuwait, a match which Australia won 4-1.[52] He also started Australia's second group game against Oman, providing the assist for Matt McKay to open the scoring in a 4-0 win by heading a Massimo Luongo corner goalwards.[53] Sainsbury scored his first ever international goal in the semi-final against the United Arab Emirates. Under three minutes into the game, he headed a corner from Massimo Luongo in at the far post to give Australia the lead in a match they ultimately won 2–0.[54] He also played for Australia in the Final victory over South Korea and was named as Man of the Match following an imposing defensive display.[55] Trent was named in the official team of the tournament after a number of solid performances.

In May 2018, he was named in Australia's 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.[56] In November 2022, he was not included in Australia's 26-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.[57]

Personal life

Sainsbury's partner, Elissa, is the daughter of Australian football manager and former Socceroos coach Graham Arnold.[58]

In addition to holding an Australian passport, Sainsbury also holds a UK passport.[59]

Career statistics

Club

As of 19 May 2023[60]
Club Season League Cup League Cup Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Central Coast Mariners 2010–11 A-League 9 0 0 0 — 0 0 9 0
2011–12 9 0 0 0 — 2 0 11 0
2012–13 26 0 0 0 — 7 1 33 1
2013–14 16 1 0 0 — 0 0 16 1
Total 60 1 0 0 0 0 9 1 69 2
PEC Zwolle 2013–14 Eredivisie 1 0 0 0 — — 1 0
2014–15 18 0 4 0 — 2 0 24 0
2015–16 9 1 0 0 — — 9 1
Total 28 1 4 0 0 0 2 0 34 1
Jiangsu Suning 2016 Chinese Super League 29 2 6 0 — 6 0 41 2
2017 5 0 0 0 — 0 0 5 0
Total 34 2 6 0 0 0 6 0 46 2
Inter Milan (loan) 2016–17 Serie A 1 0 0 0 — 0 0 1 0
Grasshoppers (loan) 2017–18 Swiss Super League 9 0 0 0 — 0 0 9 0
PSV Eindhoven 2018–19 Eredivisie 5 0 2 1 — 2 0 9 1
2019–20 1 0 0 0 — 0 0 1 0
Total 6 0 2 1 0 0 2 0 10 1
Maccabi Haifa 2019–20 Israeli Premier League 31 2 2 0 — — 33 2
Kortrijk 2020–21 Belgian First Division A 17 2 2 0 — — 19 2
2021–22 28 4 3 0 — — 31 4
Total 45 6 5 0 0 0 0 0 50 6
Al-Wakrah 2022–23 Qatar Stars League 20 2 1 0 2 0 — 23 2
Career total 233 14 20 1 2 0 19 1 274 16

International

As of 7 June 2021[60]
Australia
Year Apps Goals
2014 4 0
2015 8 1
2016 9 2
2017 12 0
2018 9 0
2019 6 0
2021 8 1
2022 5 0
Total 61 4
As of match played 22 September 2022. Australia score listed first, score column indicates score after each Sainsbury goal.[61]
International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 27 January 2015 Newcastle International Sports Centre, Newcastle, Australia 9  United Arab Emirates 1–0 2–0 2015 AFC Asian Cup
2 7 June 2016 Docklands Stadium, Melbourne, Australia 16  Greece 1–2 1–2 Friendly
3 6 October 2016 King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia 19  Saudi Arabia 1–1 2–2 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
4 7 June 2021 Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, Kuwait City, Kuwait 49  Chinese Taipei 3–0 5–1 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Sainsbury after PEC Zwolle won the 2013–14 KNVB Cup.

Club

Central Coast Mariners

International

Australia

Individual

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "FIFA World Cup Russia 2018: List of Players: Australia" (PDF). FIFA. 15 July 2018. p. 3. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 June 2019.
  2. ^ "Trent Sainsbury". socceroos.com.au. Football Federation Australia. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d e Gatt, Ray (18 April 2013). "Trent Sainsbury just wanted to follow in footsteps of his father". The Australian. News Corp Australia.
  4. ^ "Principal's Desk". Muse. Kelmscott Senior High School. June 2013. p. 2. Archived from the original on 1 March 2015. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  5. ^ a b "Mariners make double swoop". Central Coast Mariners FC. 20 March 2010.
  6. ^ "Mariners' duo to sharpen their skills at Blades Academy". Central Coast Mariners FC. 17 July 2010. Archived from the original on 28 January 2015.
  7. ^ "Derby heartbreak for Mariners as last ditch Jets steal point". Football Federation Australia. 24 November 2010. Archived from the original on 28 January 2015.
  8. ^ Bossi, Dominic (22 November 2013). "Trent Sainsbury and Zac Anderson re-sign with Central Coast Mariners". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media.
  9. ^ "Mariners do it hard: Central Coast made to work for Premiers Plate". The Morning Bulletin. News Corp Australia. 26 March 2012. p. 25.
  10. ^ "Central Coast crowned A-League kings after grand final win". Sunshine Coast Daily. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  11. ^ a b Bosnich, Mark (22 April 2013). "Fox Sports' Mark Bosnich rates every player in the A-League decider between Mariners and Wanderers". Fox Sports. News Corp Australia.
  12. ^ "McBreen exceeds his wildest dreams". Football Federation Australia. 21 April 2013. Archived from the original on 28 January 2015.
  13. ^ "Central Coast's Sainsbury attracting interest from Southampton, Basel, Bolton". Yahoo Sports AU. Retrieved 25 April 2013.[permanent dead link‍]
  14. ^ "NAB Young Footballer of the Year candidates named". A-League. 29 October 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  15. ^ "Sainsbury wins Mariners Medal". The World Game. Special Broadcasting Service. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 9 November 2013.
  16. ^ a b "A-League Team of the Season 2012 - 2013". Professional Footballers Australia. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  17. ^ "Slideshow: The A-League's All-Star XI". Goal.com. Perform Group. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  18. ^ "Picking an A-League All Stars XI". Football Australia. Archived from the original on 27 March 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  19. ^ Condie, Stuart (3 April 2013). "Central Coast Mariners beat Guizhou Renhe in crucial AFC Champions League clash". Fox Sports. News Corp Australia.
  20. ^ Neal, Hamish (31 December 2013). "Central Coast Mariners 2-1 Perth Glory: McGlinchey snatches win". Goal.com. Perform Group.
  21. ^ "Sainsbury joines PEC Zwolle". The World Game. Special Broadcasting Service. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  22. ^ "Utrecht vs. PEC Zwolle - 6 February 2014". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  23. ^ "PEC Zwolle thrash sorry Ajax to win KNVB Beker". Soccerway. Perform Group. 20 April 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  24. ^ "PEC Zwolle stun Ajax again to win Dutch Super Cup". Euronews. 3 August 2014. Archived from the original on 5 August 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  25. ^ Micallef, Philip (26 January 2016). "Sainsbury reveals why he left Europe for China". The World Game. Special Broadcasting Service.
  26. ^ Bossi, Dominic (1 February 2017). "Socceroo defender Trent Sainsbury joins Italian giants Inter Milan". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media.
  27. ^ "Sainsbury makes Inter debut". The World Game. Special Broadcasting Service. 29 May 2017. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
  28. ^ "West Australian Socceroo Trent Sainsbury makes Inter Milan debut". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. 30 May 2017. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
  29. ^ Bossi, Dominic (16 February 2018). "Socceroos defender Trent Sainsbury moved to Grasshoppers Zurich". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 16 February 2018.
  30. ^ Sherry, Max (7 August 2018). "Roos star seals huge move to Dutch giants". News.com.au. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  31. ^ "Trent Sainsbury, Socceroos news: Sainsbury signs for Maccabi Haifa, Nikita Rukavytsya, transfer news, analysis, why". Fox Sports. 30 August 2019. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
  32. ^ Ben Dor, Doron (7 August 2020). "סיינסבורי שוחרר ממחנה האימונים של מכבי חיפה" [Sainsbury released from Maccabi Haifa's training camp]. One (in Hebrew).
  33. ^ Ben Dor, Doron (17 August 2020). "רשמית: טרנט סיינסבורי שוחרר ממכבי חיפה" [Official: Sainsbury released from Maccabi Haifa]. One (in Hebrew).
  34. ^ "Socceroo Trent Sainsbury drops into defence". FTBL. 20 August 2020.
  35. ^ "Trent Sainsbury joins Belgian Pro League side KV Kortrijk". Socceroos. 20 August 2020. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  36. ^ Soetaert, Eddy (10 November 2020). "Trent Sainsbury geniet van eerste doelpunt voor KV Kortrijk: "Ik trapte zo hard ik kon"". Het Laatste Nieuws (in Dutch). Retrieved 22 November 2023.
  37. ^ "Trent Sainsbury signs for Al-Wakrah SC". Socceroos. 3 August 2022.
  38. ^ "Socceroo Trent Sainsbury returns home to the Mariners". Central Coast Mariners FC. 23 August 2024.
  39. ^ "Trent Sainsbury named Central Coast Mariners Isuzu UTE A-League captain". Central Coast Mariners FC. 14 September 2024.
  40. ^ "Goals, debuts and drama: Central Coast Mariners' wild start to ACL Elite campaign in China". aleagues.com.au. 17 September 2024.
  41. ^ "Central Coast Mariners boss confirms 'big, big blow' after 'freak incident' sidelines Socceroo". aleagues.com.au. 17 October 2024.
  42. ^ "Qantas Joeys open with narrow win - Full Report". Football Federation Australia. 10 July 2008.
  43. ^ "Bulut gives Australia win in Grand Final". ASEAN Football Federation. 19 July 2008.
  44. ^ "Qantas Joeys fail to reach FIFA U17 World Cup". Football Federation Australia. 13 October 2008.
  45. ^ "Trent Sainsbury". FIFA. Archived from the original on 22 November 2011. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  46. ^ "Mariners young guns earn shot at Socceroos". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. 3 May 2013. Retrieved 9 November 2013.
  47. ^ "Socceroos name East Asian Cup squad". The Leader. 16 July 2013. Retrieved 9 November 2013.
  48. ^ Hill, Simon (17 September 2013). "Central Coast Mariners defender Trent Sainsbury talks to Simon Hill about his Socceroos omission". Fox Sports. News Corp Australia.
  49. ^ Somerford, Ben (31 July 2014). "Sainsbury pushes through pain for Asian Cup chance". FourFourTwo.
  50. ^ Lewis, David (7 September 2014). "Sainsbury's nerves settled after solid Socceroos debut". The World Game. Special Broadcasting Service.
  51. ^ "Socceroos unveil 23-man Asian Cup squad featuring Tim Cahill, Mark Bresciano and Mile Jedinak". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 23 December 2014.
  52. ^ Davutovic, David (9 January 2015). "Asian Cup 2015: Socceroos beat Kuwait after fighting back from a goal down". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia.
  53. ^ "Asian Cup: Socceroos crush Oman 4–0". The Australian. News Corp Australia. 13 January 2015.
  54. ^ "Defenders down UAE, send Socceroos into final". FIFA. 27 January 2015. Archived from the original on 3 February 2015.
  55. ^ a b c Ormond, Aidan (1 February 2015). "Socceroos fired up by Korean celebrations - Sainsbury". Goal.com. Perform Group.
  56. ^ "Revealed: Every World Cup 2018 squad - Final 23-man lists". Goal.com. Perform Group. 4 June 2018. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  57. ^ Natasha Everitt (8 November 2022). "CHOICE Australia manager leaves son-in-law Trent Sainsbury out of Qatar 2022 World Cup squad, but selects Newcastle-bound youngster Garang Kuol who's yet to start a game this season". talksport.com.
  58. ^ Micallef, Philip (11 February 2017). "Exclusive: Sainsbury confident of keeping Socceroos spot". The World Game. Special Broadcasting Service. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
  59. ^ Davutovic, David (17 February 2015). "Socceroos rankings rise leads young stars to English Premier League". The Australian. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
  60. ^ a b "T. Sainsbury". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
  61. ^ Trent Sainsbury at Soccerway
  62. ^ "Joeys win ASEAN tournament". The World Game. Special Broadcasting Service. 20 July 2008. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
  63. ^ "Sainsbury wins Mariners Medal". The World Game. Special Broadcasting Service. 3 May 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  64. ^ "Four S. Koreans named to team of tournament at AFC Asian Cup". Yonhap. 2 February 2015.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Trent Sainsbury.