Stints at England’s Newcastle United and Turkey’s Genclerbirligi are an indication that Qantas Socceroo James Troisi is a highly-rated young prospect.
Stints at England-s Newcastle United and Turkey-s Genclerbirligi are an indication that Qantas Socceroo James Troisi is a highly-rated young prospect.
But Australian football fans were unable to see the best of Troisi until the 2011-12 season begun.
The 23-year-old has started to grab headlines for his performances in Turkey, with his eight goals in 22 matches for Super Lig outfit Kayserispor keeping them clear from the relegation zone.
In a squad that contains the likes of Paraguayan midfielder Cristian Riveros, Troisi has stood out and is the club's top scorer by some distance.
And it is that sort of form that has the Adelaide-born Troisi consistently receiving the call to join the Qantas Socceroo squad in recent times. "I've been playing quite well and have scored eight goals with six matches of the season remaining," Troisi said ahead of Australia-s FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.
"I've been regularly picked in the (Australian) squad which has been very good but that starts from my club football,” he said.
"I had a tough couple (of) years with a few injuries but I'm playing regularly now, doing well, scoring goals and in good fitness. I've got to keep doing what I am doing at my club... I'm obviously happy to be here (in the Socceroos squad) regularly.
Troisi's form is even more remarkable when you consider the issues he has had to deal with away from the football pitch.
Kayserispor's financial troubles have left Troisi owed money by the club, with a pay dispute ongoing.
But the positive-minded Troisi says he is trying to focus his energies only on what happens on the pitch.
"(In Turkey) it's not the same as England or Australia," he said. "It's not just me, it's happened to a lot of players. But you just get on with it. I'm trying to sort that out so we'll see what happens from there."
"(The club are having) financial problems at the moment. It is a little bit disappointing but that's how it is."
Troisi - who has been in contact with the Professional Footballers Australia over the dispute - admits that his club's issues may play a part in his decision when his contract is up for renewal.
"I'm still contracted,” he says. “I've got a year left. I'm happy because I am playing and scoring goals so I try to forget about the other side of things and keep focusing."
"I'll have to sit down and work out what's going to be best for me and my career (though).”
Interest in Troisi has been high since his issues at Kayserispor became public, with speculation linking him with a move to the Hyundai A-League.
But Troisi ruled out such a move saying a European destination is the preference should he depart his current club. "For me, my number one preference is to stay in Europe,” he said. “There's been some interest. There was a lot of interest in Australia too. I don't know where that came from... there was speculation but that's all it was.”
For now, it is too soon to talk about Troisi returning to Australia. Troisi has an important end to the Turkish season ahead and if he can score more goals to secure their safety, his signature will surely be in demand when the time comes.