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Stefan Colakovski
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Stefan Colakovski (Macedonian: Стефан Чолаковски, romanized: Stefan Cholakovski; born 20 April 2000) is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for A-League club Perth Glory. Born in Australia, he has represented Macedonia at youth level.[2]
Key Information
Colakovski also has a 'C' Diploma in coaching, and since April 2025 has run his own football clinic in Melbourne.[3]
Early life
[edit]Colakovski is a Macedonian-Australian, being of Aromanian heritage. As a child he supported Melbourne Heart (now known as Melbourne City).[4][5]
Club career
[edit]Melbourne City
[edit]After playing in Melbourne City's youth setup for three years, on 4 November 2019, Colakovski made his senior professional debut against Wellington Phoenix in the A-League.[6] On 1 February 2020, Colakovski was offered a full senior deal contract for Melbourne City.[5]
Colakovski scored his first A-League goal in a Melbourne Derby match in the 2020–21 season by scoring the sixth and final goal in a 6–0 win against Melbourne Victory.[7] Colakovski scored his second A-League goal for Melbourne City against Macarthur FC in the 2021 A-League Finals Series. He assisted Marco Tilio for his second goal in the A-League to put Melbourne City through to the Grand Finals.
Perth Glory
[edit]In June 2022, it was announced that Colakovski signed with Perth Glory on a two-year deal.[8] In May 2024, at the conclusion of his contract, he announced he's departing Perth Glory to take up an opportunity overseas.[9]
Wellington Phoenix
[edit]After Colakovski's move to Europe didn't come into fruition, he returned to the A-League Men and signed a one-year deal with Wellington Phoenix.[10] Suffering knee injuries throughout the season, Colakovski made only six appearances for the club, before being released at the end of the season.[11]
Return to Perth Glory
[edit]Following the release from his contract from Wellington Phoenix, Colakovski returned to Perth to continue his rehab. Good performances in training earned him a move back to Perth in January 2026.[12]
Career statistics
[edit]Club
[edit]| Club | Season | League | National Cup | Asia | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Melbourne City NPL | 2017[15] | NPL Victoria 2 | 26 | 5 | — | — | — | 26 | 5 | |||
| 2019 | 26 | 9 | — | — | — | 26 | 9 | |||||
| 2021 | NPL Victoria 3 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | ||||
| Total | 54 | 16 | — | — | — | 54 | 16 | |||||
| Melbourne City | 2019–20 | A-League | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 7 | 0 | ||
| 2020–21 | 21 | 3 | — | — | — | 21 | 3 | |||||
| 2021–22 | 18 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 1 | — | 26 | 1 | |||
| Total | 46 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 54 | 4 | ||
| Perth Glory | 2022–23 | A-League Men | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 2 | 0 | |||
| 2023–24 | 22 | 6 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 23 | 6 | ||||
| Total | 24 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 6 | ||
| Career total | 124 | 25 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 131 | 26 | ||
Honours
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Howe, Andrew. "Official A-League 2020/21 Season Guide" (PDF). howe.how. Australian Professional Leagues. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
- ^ "Stefan Colakovski". 16 November 2018. Archived from the original on 6 October 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
- ^ D'Urbano, Nicholas (3 April 2025). "Q&A with Stefan Colakovski on launching football clinics and how it's helped him with rehabbing knee injury". The PFA. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
- ^ "Colakovski: Playing for City is a dream come true". Melbourne City FC. Football Federation Australia. 12 November 2020.
- ^ a b Lynch, Joey (1 February 2020). "Stefan Colakovski's re-signing from the Heart". FTBL.
- ^ Davutovic, David (4 November 2019). "Melbourne City's youth brigade driving A-League title push". The Herald Sun.
- ^ "One of their own; Colakovski adds to Victory pain with 'one of the best moments of my life'".
- ^ "News - Glory Swoop For Exciting Young Forward". Perth Glory. 7 June 2022. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
- ^ Morgan, Gareth (28 May 2024). "ALM player departures confirmed". Perth Glory.
- ^ "Nix sign another A-League champion". Wellington Phoenix FC. 10 October 2024.
- ^ "Phoenix confirm departures of three men's players". Wellington Phoenix FC. 2 July 2025.
- ^ Morgan, Gareth (21 January 2026). "Livewire forward Colakovski returns for second stint with Glory". Perth Glory. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
- ^ Stefan Colakovski at Soccerway. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
- ^ "Player statistics for Stefan Colakovski". GameDay. SportsTG. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
- ^ "Player statistics for Stefan Colakovski (2016–2017)". GameDay. SportsTG. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
- ^ Morgan, Gareth (6 May 2024). "Taggart and Lowry claim top honours at glittering MGP Awards event". Perth Glory. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
External links
[edit]- Stefan Colakovski at Soccerway
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Stefan Colakovski
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Early life and background
Early life
Stefan Colakovski was born on 20 April 2000 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.[5] He grew up in the city, where he spent his childhood immersed in the local culture and community.[6] From a young age, Colakovski developed a strong affinity for football, particularly as a supporter of the newly formed Melbourne Heart (now known as Melbourne City FC). His family became foundation members of the club during its inaugural 2010–11 season, attending matches together and fostering his early passion for the sport.[9] At just 10 years old, he was present in the stands for Melbourne Heart's first-ever competitive match against the Central Coast Mariners on 5 August 2010.[10] This family involvement, including his father's connections to club staff that allowed access to games, played a key role in nurturing his enthusiasm.[11] Of Macedonian-Australian heritage, he was raised in a household that valued both cultural roots and Australian sporting traditions.[6]Family and heritage
Stefan Colakovski is a Macedonian-Australian footballer whose ethnic roots trace back to North Macedonia through his family. His father was born in Macedonia, as were all of his grandparents, who immigrated to Australia in the mid-20th century as part of the broader wave of Macedonian migration seeking better opportunities.[12] This familial connection provided Colakovski with dual citizenship and eligibility to represent either Australia or North Macedonia internationally. Born and raised in Melbourne, Colakovski was immersed in Macedonian culture from a young age, frequently attending events and matches at local clubs like Preston Lions, which was founded by Macedonian immigrants.[12] His family's involvement in the Macedonian-Australian football community is notable; Pascoe Vale SC, where Colakovski began his youth career, was founded in 1966 by his great uncles from Macedonia, and many relatives—including his grandfather, father, uncles, brothers, and cousins—have played for the club, with his uncle currently serving as president.[10] He has expressed deep pride in this background, stating, "I’m very proud to have a Macedonian background — I was born in Australia and I love this country, but at the same time I love where my family came from."[12] This cultural immersion shaped his personal identity, fostering a strong sense of connection to his ancestral homeland. Colakovski's heritage played a pivotal role in his choice of international representation, leading him to opt for North Macedonia at the youth level in 2021 despite being born in Australia. This decision reflects the enduring influence of his family's Macedonian origins on his sense of belonging and national allegiance.[6][12]Club career
Melbourne City
Colakovski joined Melbourne City's youth academy in 2015, having previously played junior football with Pascoe Vale in the NPL Victoria. As a lifelong supporter of the club since its inaugural season as Melbourne Heart, he developed through the academy system and progressed to the senior National Premier Leagues (NPL) squad starting in 2017. There, he gained competitive experience against adult opposition over four seasons, contributing to the team's efforts in Victoria's top-tier state league.[2][13] His breakthrough to the first team came in late 2019 when he was called up to the senior A-League squad. Colakovski made his professional debut on 3 November 2019, substituting into a 3–2 home win over Wellington Phoenix at AAMI Park. The appearance marked the culmination of his youth development at the club, and just days later, on 7 November, he was promoted to a one-year Scholarship contract alongside teammate Dylan Pierias. This paved the way for a full senior deal, which he signed in January 2020, securing his position with the club through the 2020–21 season.[14][15][16] Colakovski's early senior role was primarily as a substitute, providing pace and energy from the forward line. His development accelerated in the 2020–21 season, where he earned more opportunities under coach Patrick Kisnorbo. A highlight came on 6 March 2021 in the Melbourne Derby against rivals Melbourne Victory, when he scored his maiden A-League goal in stoppage time, sealing a record 6–0 victory at Marvel Stadium and contributing to City's strong premiership campaign. The moment was particularly poignant given his hometown roots and childhood fandom of the club.[17][18] Between 2019 and 2022, Colakovski accumulated 53 appearances and 4 goals across all competitions for Melbourne City's senior team, establishing himself as a promising homegrown talent before departing the club. His contributions helped the side secure two consecutive premierships in 2020–21 and 2021–22, as well as the 2020–21 championship.[19][13]Perth Glory
In June 2022, Stefan Colakovski transferred from Melbourne City to Perth Glory on a two-year contract, seeking greater playing opportunities as a forward in a new environment.[20] The move marked his first interstate shift in professional football, allowing him to build on prior A-League experience while adapting to Western Australia's competitive landscape.[13] Colakovski's initial 2022–23 season with Perth Glory was limited, featuring in just two substitute appearances without scoring, as he adjusted to the team's dynamics under coach Ruben Zadkovich.[1] His role as a versatile forward emphasized pace and finishing, though opportunities were scarce amid squad competition. In July 2023, he made a brief outing with Perth Glory's NPL team, starting in a 2–2 thriller against an academy opponent but failing to score.[21] The 2023–24 campaign represented a breakthrough, with Colakovski appearing in 22 A-League matches—starting 15—and netting six goals, contributing significantly to Perth Glory's attack.[1] Key highlights included his maiden goal for the club in a 2–2 draw against Newcastle Jets on 22 October 2023, a clinical finish that showcased his positioning.[14] He followed with strikes in a 2–0 victory over Central Coast Mariners on 4 November and an equalizer in a 1–1 stalemate versus Melbourne Victory on 25 November, while additional goals against Western United, Macarthur FC, and Sydney FC underscored his growing impact—three of which secured wins for the team.[14] Overall, across his Perth Glory tenure from 2022 to 2024, he recorded 24 A-League appearances and six goals.[1] In May 2024, at the expiration of his contract, Colakovski departed Perth Glory as a free agent to explore opportunities overseas.[22]Wellington Phoenix
In October 2024, Stefan Colakovski signed a one-year contract with Wellington Phoenix, becoming the club's final addition to the squad ahead of the 2024–25 A-League Men season.[23][24] The deal reunited him with familiar coaching staff from his time at previous clubs and aimed to bolster the team's attacking options with his experience as a forward.[25] During the 2024–25 season, Colakovski made six appearances for Wellington Phoenix but did not score any goals, often coming off the bench in limited minutes.[26][27] His involvement was curtailed early when he sustained a serious knee injury in December 2024, diagnosed as a cruciate ligament tear requiring surgery and an estimated 198 days of rehabilitation.[28][29] The injury ultimately prevented a full recovery within the contract period, leading to Colakovski's release by Wellington Phoenix on 2 July 2025 upon the expiry of his deal.[2][30] As of November 2025, he remains a free agent, focusing on rehabilitation and seeking new opportunities.[2]International career
Youth international career
Colakovski, born in Melbourne, Australia, was eligible to represent North Macedonia at the international level due to his Macedonian heritage on his father's side.[12] Despite his Australian birthplace and early club career in the country, Colakovski did not feature for any Australian youth national teams.[2] In August 2021, he received his first call-up to the North Macedonia U21 squad for UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying matches.[31] Colakovski made his youth international debut on September 2, 2021, starting as a right winger in a 0–3 away defeat to France U21, where he played the full 90 minutes without scoring.[32] Five days later, on September 7, 2021, he appeared in North Macedonia's subsequent Group H qualifier, starting as a centre-forward in a 0–0 home draw against Serbia U21; he was substituted after 66 minutes and received a yellow card in the 36th minute.[33] These two appearances, both in 2021, represent Colakovski's entire youth international career with North Macedonia U21, during which he recorded no goals.[34]Senior international career
Colakovski holds dual eligibility for the senior national teams of Australia, where he was born, and North Macedonia, through his citizenship acquired via his family's heritage.[2] As of November 2025, Colakovski has not earned any senior international caps for either country, despite his representation of North Macedonia at the under-21 level earlier in his career.[34] Several factors have contributed to his absence from senior international squads, including persistent knee injuries that have disrupted his club form and availability. In the 2024/25 season with Wellington Phoenix, he suffered a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament rupture in December 2024, sidelining him for up to 12 months with recovery expected into late 2025, and earlier dealt with a period of lacking match fitness in October 2024.[29][35] These setbacks limited him to just six appearances that season, potentially diminishing his visibility to national team selectors. Additionally, his career emphasis on establishing himself in the A-League has coincided with a transitional phase from youth to senior levels, where opportunities for call-ups remain pending. Colakovski has publicly expressed pride in both his Australian upbringing and Macedonian roots, noting in 2021 that while he is "a proud Aussie," his grandparents' migration from Macedonia shaped his identity and influenced his decision to represent the country at youth level.[36] No senior call-ups or expressed preferences for one nation over the other have been reported as of 2025.Career statistics
Club statistics
Stefan Colakovski has recorded 85 appearances and 10 goals across his senior club career as of 16 November 2025.[37][1] The following table provides a breakdown of his senior club statistics by season and competition, focusing on appearances, goals, and assists where data is available. Statistics encompass A-League Men matches, continental competitions, domestic cups, and National Premier Leagues (NPL) appearances.| Season | Club | Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019–20 | Melbourne City | A-League Men | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020–21 | Melbourne City | A-League Men | 19 | 2 | 2 |
| 2021–22 | Melbourne City | A-League Men | 16 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022–23 | Perth Glory | A-League Men | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023–24 | Perth Glory | A-League Men | 22 | 6 | 1 |
| 2024–25 | Wellington Phoenix | A-League Men | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020–23 | Melbourne City | AFC Champions League | 6 | 1 | 1 |
| 2019–22 | Melbourne City | Australia Cup | 5 | 1 | 2 |
| 2019–20 | Melbourne City | FFA Cup | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023–24 | Perth Glory | Australia Cup | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | ** ** | ** ** | 85 | 10 | 6 |
International statistics
Colakovski represented North Macedonia at youth international level, accumulating 2 appearances and 0 goals for the U21 team between 2021 and 2022.[39] He has no senior international appearances or goals for any nation.[39] The following table details his youth international matches:| Date | Competition | Opponent | Result | Position | Minutes | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 September 2021 | UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualifying | France U21 | 3–0 | RW | 90' | 0 |
| 7 September 2021 | UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualifying | Serbia U21 | 0–0 | CF | 66' | 0 |