Paul Okon-Engstler
Australian soccer player (born 2005)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Paul Michael Junior Okon-Engstler (West Flemish: [ˈoːkɔn ˈɛŋstlər]: born 24 January 2005), also known as Paul Okon Junior,[a] is a professional soccer player who plays as a defensive midfielder for Sydney FC in the A-League Men. Born in Belgium, he represents the Australia national team.
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Paul Michael Junior Okon-Engstler[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 24 January 2005 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Ostend, Belgium | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Defensive midfielder | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Team information | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Current team | Sydney FC | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number | 24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Marconi Stallions | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | Western Sydney Wanderers | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019–2022 | Club Brugge | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022–2024 | Benfica | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024–2025 | Benfica B | 8 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025– | Sydney FC | 23 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| International career‡ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023–2025 | Australia U20 | 17 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024– | Australia U23 | 2 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025– | Australia | 7 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 26 April 2026 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 14 June 2026 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Club career
Born in Belgium while his father, former Australian international soccer player Paul Okon was playing for Belgian Pro League club K.V. Oostende, Okon-Engstler moved to Australia in 2006 when his father signed for the Newcastle Jets.[4] He started his career, as his father had, with Marconi Stallions, before moving to A-League side Western Sydney Wanderers.[4] In 2019, he moved back to Belgium, signing with Club Brugge.[4]
While representing Club Brugge at a youth tournament in Portugal, he was spotted by scouts from Benfica, despite Club Brugge's poor performances at the tournament.[5] He joined the Portuguese club in July 2022, signing a three-year deal.[5][6][7]
In July 2025, Okon-Engstler signed for A-League Men side Sydney FC on a three-year deal.[8] His debut for the club came against Western United in the opening round of the 2025 Australia Cup.
International career
Okon-Engstler is eligible to represent Belgium through birth, Australia through his father, and Cuba through his mother.[4][9] He holds Italian citizenship.[10]
In September 2022, he was called up to the Australia under-20 team, but did not feature.[11]
He made his debut for the Australia under-23 team during the 2023 Maurice Revello Tournament.[12]
In June 2025, Okon was called up for the Socceroos squad for qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia.[13]
On 31 May 2026, Okon-Engstler was selected in the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.[14]
Style of play
A composed, left-footed defensive midfielder, Okon-Engstler is known for his range of long passes, and is capable of starting attacks from deep.[15]
Career statistics
Club
- As of 26 April 2026
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Continental | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Benfica B | 2024–25 | Liga Portugal 2 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 8 | 0 | |
| Sydney FC | 2025–26 | A-League Men | 23 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 26 | 0 | |
| Career total | 31 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 0 | ||
