Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) has today paid tribute to PFA Life Member Mile Jedinak on his outstanding career for club and country, following his retirement from professional football.
The former Socceroos captain revealed his retirement via a statement posted to his personal Instagram account on Sunday.
Jedinak has assumed critical roles for the PFA, initially via the PFA Socceroos Delegates Committee, before being voted onto the PFA Executive in 2014, where he has served the interests of Australian professional players for six years.
PFA President Alex Wilkinson praised Jedinak’s incredible contribution.
“Mile is an iconic figure in Australian football, having demonstrated consummate leadership during a period of great progress for the game,” Wilkinson said.
“His determination, commitment and passionate displays for the green and gold ensures he will remain one of our most adored and inspiring characters.
“Equally, Mile’s contribution to Australian football off the pitch was immense. He has always had the careers of his fellow professionals close to his heart, given his own personal journey of sacrifice and success at the very highest level.”
PFA Co-Chief Executive and former Matildas Captain Kathryn Gill said Jedinak had been an instrumental figure in major negotiations for Australia’s national teams, passionately advancing the interests of the game and the players.
“Mile’s achievements on the pitch were truly remarkable and so too was his impact off the pitch for Australian football,” Gill said. “Mile was incredibly important in securing progress for both the Matildas and Socceroos, including last year’s historic national teams Collective Bargaining Agreement, which delivered gender equality.
“His ambition was to leave the game in a better position for future generations of players, utilising his own experiences to help positively transform players’ careers, conditions and experiences.
“We look forward to Mile’s legacy in our game continuing in whatever his next chapter brings.”
Jedinak retired from the Socceroos in 2018 after 79 appearances, having guided Australia to an AFC Asian Cup triumph in 2015 and represented the green and gold at three FIFA World Cups in 2010, 2014 and 2018.
The defensive midfielder commenced his career with Sydney United and Central Coast Mariners before securing an overseas move to Turkish club Gençlerbirliği. He later joined English clubs Crystal Palace and Aston Villa, amassing over 200 appearances and leading both clubs to promotion to the English Premier League.
