Professional Footballers Australia (the PFA) is proud to announce Nicolas Milanovic as the recipient of the prestigious Harry Kewell Medal, recognising the most outstanding under-23 footballer for the 2024/25 season.
The award, voted on by PFA members and supported by PFA Players’ Awards partner Austraffic, celebrates Milanovic’s exceptional performances with Western Sydney Wanderers last A-League Men season, where he emerged as one of the league’s most exciting young talents.
Milanovic’s dynamic displays, including a memorable hat-trick against Newcastle Jets, and a season tally of 12 goals and six assists, earned him widespread acclaim, the Johnny Warren Medal for the A-League Men’s best player, and a transfer to Scottish Premiership club Aberdeen FC.
Milanovic received the most votes among six nominees, including Kasey Bos (Melbourne Victory), Noah Botic (Western United), Adrian Segecic (Sydney FC), Ryan Teague (Melbourne Victory) andArchie Goodwin (Adelaide United).
“To be named the Harry Kewell medallist is an honour that’s up there with the best I’ve had,” Milanovic said. “Even to get nominated, I was pretty surprised [but] actually winning is such a huge thing, especially voted by your peers.
“I think that makes it a bit extra special. I think individual medals are great. To be recognised as one of the better players at my age proves to yourself that you can do it.”
Named after one of Australia’s greatest ever exports, Harry Kewell, Milanovic, who grew up idolising the former Socceroo great, said the medal was extra special.
“He [Kewell] was one of my idols growing up. I play a similar position as him, so he was always, as a kid, one of the guys like him, Tim Cahill, and some of these big, big, huge players were idols for young boys that [dreamed of becoming] Socceroos.
“So, to have a medal in his name is, personally to me, it’s hard to comprehend that, but it’s special. So I’m really grateful for it.”
Milanovic joins a distinguished list of past winners including Mathew Ryan, Jamie Maclaren, and Jordan Bos, cementing his place among the elite young talents in Australian football.
PFA Harry Kewell Medal Winners
Nicholas Milanovic (2025), Alex Paulsen (2024), Jordan Bos (2023), Denis Genreau (2022), Connor Metcalfe (2021), Liberato Cacace (2020), Chris Ikonomidis (2019), Daniel Arzani (2018), Alex Gersbach (2017), Jamie Maclaren (2016), Mat Ryan (2015, 2014, 2012) Marco Rojas (2013), Robbie Kruse (2011), Mitch Langerak (2010), Nikita Rukavytsya (2009)
About the Austraffic PFA Footballer of the Year Awards
The Austraffic PFA Footballer of the Year Awards have been awarded annually since 2009, when former Socceroo Tim Cahill won the inaugural PFA Men’s Footballer of the Year. The PFA Women’s Footballer of the Year was introduced the following season, which was won by Servet Uzunlar in 2010.
About Austraffic
Founded in 1983 (as Australasian Traffic Surveys), Austraffic has undertaken thousands of traffic, transport and pedestrian studies in all states and territories of Australia and New Zealand. Austraffic’s systems and expertise delivers quality data that meets the customer’s needs. Their offices are located throughout Australia, and their traffic engineering and information technology specialists assist customers with the design, analysis and presentation of surveys. For more information visit austraffic.com.au
