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The young right back has progressed through Australia\u2019s international pathway, representing the Young Socceroos at the FIFA U20 World Cup and the Australian U23s at this year\u2019s AFC U23 Asian Cup.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, Overy has previously been on the periphery when it comes to the senior Socceroos squads despite not playing first team football, and will now be eyeing off a spot in Head Coach Tony Popovic\u2019s squad for next year\u2019s 2027 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n
Overy said returning to Australia and playing regular senior football represented the right next step in his development.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve had an unbelievable experience at Manchester United and learned so much from being in that environment every day, but I feel this is the right time for me to take the next step and play senior football,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSydney FC is a massive club with a history of winning trophies and developing young Australian players, so I\u2019m really excited to be joining.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to come in, work hard, compete for a place in the team and show what I can do.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing involved with the Socceroos has given me a taste of where I want to get to and playing regularly for Sydney FC is a huge opportunity for me to keep developing and hopefully earn more opportunities with the national team.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t wait to get started and pull on the Sky Blue shirt.\u201d<\/p>\n
The right-back first came to prominence with Perth Glory aged just 15, producing an impressive performance against Premier League side West Ham United in a pre-season friendly in Perth in July 2023.<\/p>\n
He was subsequently named by The Guardian among the 60 best young players in the world born in 2007.<\/p>\n
Sydney FC Head Coach Patrick Kisnorbo believes Overy has the qualities to become an outstanding A-League player.<\/p>\n
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\u201cJames is an extremely exciting young Australian player who we believe has a very big future,\u201d Kisnorbo said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is quick, aggressive, technically very good and loves to get forward from right-back, but he also has the mentality and competitiveness you want from a young defender.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has spent two important years developing in an elite environment at Manchester United and now he needs regular senior football to take the next step in his career.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has already been around the Socceroos at only 18, which demonstrates how highly regarded he is, and what a good character he is as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re delighted James has chosen Sydney FC and I\u2019m looking forward to working with him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Having signed in in time, Overy could now make his Sydney FC debut in this Wednesday\u2019s Australia Cup semi-final against Melbourne Victory at Jubilee Oval.<\/p>\n
Overy becomes Sydney FC\u2019s fifth permanent signing of the off-season.<\/p>\n
Former academy graduate Jake Hollman<\/a> returned to the club on a three-year deal after stints with Macarthur Bulls and most recently English Football League side Walsall whilst young striker\u00a0Gabriel Popovic<\/a> has joined from Perth Glory.<\/p>\n Furthermore, two-time AFC Champions League Elite winner\u00a0Takahiro Sekine<\/a> has set the pace in pre-season after joining the club, scoring three goals in his first four matches ahead of the 2026\/27 campaign.<\/p>\n