Jimmy Jeggo

James Alexander Jeggo ( ; born 12 February 1992) is a retired Australian professional soccer player who played as a central midfielder for A-League Men club Melbourne City. Born in Austria, he plays for the Australia national team. Jeggo moved to Australia as a child, where he started his footballing career in youth football with Green Gully and at the Victorian Institute of Sport before making his professional debut for Melbourne Victory.

Early life

Jeggo was born in Vienna, Austria. He moved to Australia as a child, growing up in Melbourne, Victoria. He has a brother Luc Jeggo who formerly captained the Melbourne Victory youth team, and currently plays for NPL Victoria club Preston Lions.

Club career Melbourne Victory On 21 March 2011, Jeggo signed a three-year senior contract with A-League club Melbourne Victory after performing very well in the National Youth League. He made his professional debut in the 2011–12 A-League season on 12 November 2011, in a round 6 clash against Central Coast Mariners. Jimmy Jeggo, as referred to by the Melbourne Victory fans quickly become a fan favourite in his few appearances for Melbourne. On 10 February 2012, he was selected for his first league start for Melbourne Victory against the Central Coast Mariners at AAMI Park, where Victory went on to record a 2–1 come from behind win. Jimmy Jeggo's first league goal for the Melbourne Victory came on 16 March 2012, with a strike from outside the penalty box, in their 3–0 win over Wellington Phoenix, which would be the final home game Melbourne Victory would play in the 2011-12 A-League season.

The 2012–13 A-League season saw James Jeggo's first team opportunities reduced. He played 310 minutes, mostly from the bench, less than half the time of his break out season of 2011–12.

Adelaide United On 1 May 2014, Jeggo signed with Adelaide United following his release from Melbourne Victory as the Victorian A-League team declined to renew his contract. Jimmy made his debut for Adelaide in round one of the 2014–15 A-League season at Lang Park, Brisbane verse then champions Brisbane Roar. Jeggo started in midfield and played the whole match as United won two goals to one. Jeggo became a regular starter at Adelaide United under Josep Gombau, playing in attacking midfield, Jeggo won the A-League Young Footballer of the Year for the 2014–15 A-League season. Jeggo played a full match for the Reds in the inaugural 2014 FFA Cup Final. Adelaide secured victory over Perth Glory in the final 1–0 with Jeggo claiming his first club trophy of his career.

Sturm Graz On 27 January 2016, Jeggo was released from Adelaide United to join Austrian club Sturm Graz for an undisclosed fee.

On 9 May 2018, he played as Sturm Graz beat Red Bull Salzburg in extra time to win the 2017–18 Austrian Cup.

Austria Wien On 25 May 2018, Jeggo joined Austria Wien after rejecting a contract extension from Sturm Graz.

Aris On 16 August 2020, Jeggo joined Greek club Aris. Jeggo was roommates with Celtic's Luis Palma.

Eupen On 4 February 2022, Jeggo signed a 1.5-year contract with Eupen in Belgium.

Hibernian Jeggo signed an 18-month contract with Scottish club Hibernian in January 2023. He made his debut a day after signing for Hibernian, starting in a 0–3 defeat to Edinburgh derby rivals Hearts in the Scottish Cup.

Melbourne City Jeggo returned to Australia in January 2024 and signed for Melbourne City.

International career On 7 March 2011, Jeggo was selected to represent the Australia Olympic football team in an Asian Olympic Qualifier match against Iraq.

After establishing himself in the starting squad for Sturm Graz at the beginning of the 2016–17 season, playing a key role as a defensive midfielder, Jeggo was called up to the Australia senior side for World Cup qualifiers against Saudi Arabia and Japan in October 2016.

On 20 November 2018, Jeggo made his debut for the Australia senior national team in a friendly match at ANZ Stadium against Lebanon. He came on as a second-half substitute in the 74th minute and replaced Mustafa Amini in midfield and Australia won the match 3–0.

Career statistics Club

International

Honours Adelaide United FFA Cup: 2014

Sturm Graz Austrian Cup: 2017–18

Individual A-League Young Footballer of the Year: 2014–15