Alex Bonetig
Australian soccer player
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Alexander Bonetig (/ˈbo.nə.tɪɡ/, BOH-nə-TIG;[3] born 20 August 2002) is an Australian soccer player who plays as a central defender for Major League Soccer (MLS) club Portland Timbers and the Australia national team.[4][5] He previously played for A-League Men club Western Sydney Wanderers.[6]
|
Bonetig with Western Sydney Wanderers in 2022 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Alexander Bonetig[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 20 August 2002[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Shellharbour, New South Wales, Australia | ||
| Height | 1.87 m (6 ft 1+1⁄2 in)[2] | ||
| Position | Central defender | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Portland Timbers | ||
| Number | 6 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2016–2023 | Western Sydney Wanderers | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2021–2024 | Western Sydney Wanderers NPL | 32 | (0) |
| 2023–2026 | Western Sydney Wanderers | 54 | (0) |
| 2026– | Portland Timbers | 0 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2025– | Australia | 0 | (0) |
|
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 12 January 2026 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 8 January 2026 | |||
Club career
Youth career
Bonetig started playing soccer at the age of 4 for Shellharbour Junior FC.[7] By the time he was 9, he had represented the Illawarra under-9s and SAP Southern Branch under-11s.[8] In November 2012, Bonetig was selected by a soccer clinic in Sydney to travel and train with Everton Academy. He had the opportunity to meet Australian international Tim Cahill and attend a Premier League match at Goodison Park against Sunderland.[8] Bonetig soon signed for Western Sydney Wanderers Youth in 2016.[9]
Western Sydney Wanderers
Bonetig was promoted to the first-team after signing a two-year scholarship contract for Western Sydney Wanderers on 9 June 2022.[9] He made his professional debut as a substitute on 22 January 2023 in a 1–1 draw to Newcastle Jets at McDonald Jones Stadium.[10] Bonetig made two more league appearances as a substitute, which had him feature in a 4–0 Sydney Derby win.[11]
Bonetig made his starting debut for Wanderers on 29 August 2023 in a 5–1 cup victory over Adelaide United.[11] He was soon ruled out until December due to a broken bone in his foot, which was sustained in the opening league match against Wellington Phoenix.[12] Bonetig extended his contract with the club through a three-year deal on 16 November 2023.[13][14]
Personal life
Bonetig was raised in Shellharbour, New South Wales.[6] He has a younger brother, Liam, who plays for Celtic in Scotland.[15][16][17][18][19] The two previously played together at Western Sydney Wanderers Youth.[7][20] Bonetig's father, Mineo, was a former soccer player for Wollongong Wolves during their time in the National Soccer League.[7][21] He is also the cousin of Macarthur FC player Oliver Randazzo.[7][22]
Both Alex and Liam attended Edmund Rice College in Wollongong.[18] Alex was awarded the 2020 Sportsman of the Year Award by his school in their Year 12 Graduation.[23]