Profile: Will Jaushua Sotirio add an extra dimension in Kerala Blasters' attack?

The winger has played for the Australian underage sides.

Kerala Blasters had a mixed 2022-23 campaign, finishing in fifth place in the Indian Super League. The club currently has the right mix of talent and experience but it will likely need more supplementing to mount a serious title challenge. Yet, there remains room for considerable squad strengthening and head coach Ivan Vukamanovic was looking for the right players to further strengthen his squad.

As a result, Jaushua Sotirio, the Australian winger, has joined Kerala Blasters ahead of the upcoming season. Blasters, who finished fifth in the last ISL season, are looking to bolster their squad and improve their performance in the upcoming campaign and the signing of Sotirio could prove to be a step in that direction.

The 27-year-old footballer was born in Sydney and started his football journey with the Central Coast Mariners in the Australian A-League. The Socceroos footballer had put pen to paper on a two-year deal, becoming the latest foreign player to join the Yellow Army.

Sotirio, who describes himself as a fast and dynamic player, has played for several clubs in Australia, including Western Sydney Wanderers, Wellington Phoenix, and Newcastle Jets.

Prior Experience

Jaushua Sotirio began his professional career at Western Sydney Wanderers, and made his league debut on 14 December 2013, against Newcastle Jets. He spent a significant part of his career at Western Sydney Wanderers, making over 90 appearances and scoring 12 goals. After leaving Western Sydney Wanderers, Sotirio joined Wellington Phoenix and played for them between 2019 to 2022, where he made 65 appearances, before leaving after the 2021-22 season.

Post that he joined Newcastle Jets and had a brief spell with them, contributing three goals and four assists in 23 appearances in the latest season before leaving A-League. Shortly after his release from Newcastle, it was announced that Sotirio had joined Indian Super League club Kerala Blasters on a two-year contract.

Sotirio has also played for Australia at their U-23 (three goals in seven appearances) and U-20 levels (one goal in seven appearances). Unfortunately, he was never called up to the senior national team.

Type of player

Sotirio has mostly played as a winger in his career. But he has also featured as a No. 9 and in midfield quite often. It is his versatility which makes him a valuable asset for the Blasters. With his lightning pace and impressive dribbling skills, Sotirio is expected to bring flair and creativity to the Kerala Blasters attack.

The former Australia U-23 international is known for his ability to run in behind the defence and take defenders on with his trickery on the ball. He can operate on either flank and often cuts inside to shoot or cross with his stronger right foot. His versatility and ability to impact a game make him a valuable addition to any team.

What he brings to the team?

The Blasters already have some talented attacking foreign players in their squad in the likes of Adrian Luna and Dimitrios Diamantakos, but the addition of Sotirio would add an extra dimension to their attack. Sotirio is known for his ability to create chances and score goals from the flanks, which could help Kerala Blasters unlock tight defences. With Diamantakos in the box, fans should expect Sotirio to find him often through excellent crosses.

Moreover, Sotirio's experience of playing in high-pressure games for the Western Sydney Wanderers and other clubs in the A-League could also prove beneficial for Kerala Blasters in the ISL.

In conclusion, the fans will be hoping that the Australian winger can make an immediate impact and help the team achieve their objectives in the upcoming season. All in all, Sotirio's signing would be a positive move for Kerala Blasters. He will be looking to make his mark with his performances on the field and could help Blasters improve their fortunes in the upcoming season.