Jamie Maclaren: All you need to know about Mohun Bagan SG’s new attacker
The Australian international's journey to India includes stops at various clubs and notable achievements. Here’s a rundown of his career so far.
Defending Indian Super League (ISL) Shield winners Mohun Bagan Super Giant have made waves in the transfer market with the signing of Australian football sensation Jamie Maclaren. The prolific striker joins the Mariners on a significant four-year deal, adding to their already star-studded roster.
Maclaren is not only one of Mohun Bagan SG’s big-name signings this summer but also among the ones in the league, bringing a wealth of experience and achievements from his illustrious career across various leagues.
With his signing being talked about a lot among Indian football fans, here are some interesting facts about Mohun Bagan SG’s new attacker.
1) Experience in different leagues
Jamie Maclaren has garnered experience in leagues across multiple continents, showcasing his talent in Scotland, Germany, and his home country Australia. Having been part of English side Blackburn Rovers’ youth team, his journey began with Perth Glory in the A-League and he then plied his trade for Brisbane Roar. Maclaren later moved to Germany, featuring prominently for SV Darmstadt 98 in the Bundesliga followed by a loan stint where he represented Scotland's Hibernian FC. His return to Australia saw him achieve remarkable success with Melbourne City FC, where he etched his name in A-League history. He has also participated in international competitions such as the AFC Champions League and the Europa League Qualifiers.
Hi Macca! ✋#MBSG #JoyMohunBagan #আমরাসবুজমেরুন pic.twitter.com/D2xI1ZLo0I
— Mohun Bagan Super Giant (@mohunbagansg) July 22, 2024
2) A-League’s record all-time top scorer
Maclaren has etched his name in A-League folklore as its record all-time top scorer. His ability to find the back of the net consistently has made him a formidable force in Australian football. He has racked up over 200 appearances in Australia’s top-tier league and has netted a whopping 149 goals while representing three clubs. He also has four Golden Boot awards to his name and won the A-League Young Player of the Season award twice. Maclaren's goal-scoring exploits have not only earned him personal accolades but have also played a crucial role in his team Melbourne City FC’s successes over the years, where he won his first domestic title.
3) Melbourne City FC legend
During his tenure at Melbourne City FC, Jamie Maclaren solidified his status as a club legend. His tenure was marked by remarkable achievements, including leading the club's attack with his clinical finishing and contributing significantly to their successes in domestic competitions. He won three Premierships in a row with Melbourne City FC from 2020-23. His best-ever campaign came during the 2020-21 season where he netted 25 goals in 24 appearances and that season saw him win his first trophy with the club while also winning the Golden Boot award. During his time with Melbourne City FC, he also become the first player to net 100 goals for a single A-League club. Maclaren's impact on Melbourne City FC transcended statistics, as he became a beloved figure among fans for his dedication and leadership on the field.
4) Goal-scoring, experience and leadership skills
Maclaren is renowned for his sharp instincts inside the box, coupled with his agility and positional awareness. A natural goal poacher, he excels in finding spaces and exploiting defensive weaknesses to score crucial goals.
At 30, Maclaren not only brings a wealth of experience as a goalscorer but also leadership qualities, having donned the captain’s armband at Melbourne City FC for the past few seasons. With years of leadership experience as a captain, he will be a crucial member of the squad as Mohun Bagan SG look to replicate their domestic success on the continental stage.
5) International career
Maclaren's international journey has been equally interesting, having represented two countries.
Maclaren’s international career started when he represented the Scotland under-19 team, being eligible to represent them through his father. He later switched allegiances, representing the U-20 and U-23 teams of Australia, the country where he was born.
He earned his debut for the Australian national team in 2016 in an international friendly against England and has since been a consistent presence in their squad, representing the Socceroos at the FIFA World Cup 2018. However, he is yet to feature for the Australian team this year, having been left out of their AFC Asian Cup 2023 squad with his last appearance coming in November 2023 against Palestine.