This Sunday Newcastle Jets defender Daniel Mullen will make his 100th Hyundai A-League appearance in the team’s round 26 encounter with Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium.
At just 26 years of age Mullen is proud of to bring up the milestone, albeit unfortunately away from home.
“It’s a proud moment and something I always wanted to do being a professional footballer,” Mullen said of reaching the century mark in the A-League.
“If you look at when I started off at Adelaide United I’ve played a bit in the A-League but also moved away, and coming back you can see the league is chalk and cheese at the moment from where it was to where it is now.”
“It’s been enjoyable to see the improvement and rise of the A-League, every season it has been getting better and better,” he explained.
Having begun his A-League career at his hometown club Adelaide United in the 2008/09 season, Mullen also represented Melbourne Victory and Western Sydney Wanderers before joining the Jets.
Mullen, a one-time Socceroo, also spent time with Dalian Aerbin in the Chinese Super League between 2012 and 2014, furthering his experiences as a professional footballer.
“I enjoyed my time at Adelaide United, Melbourne Victory, Western Sydney and now here at the Newcastle Jets,” he said.
“They have all been different in a way – they have all set me different challenges but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it.”
“My first season in the A-League with Adelaide we were able to make the grand-final against Melbourne Victory where we lost 1-0, but that was a successful year for me.”
“Off that season I ended up making my one Socceroos cap as well so that was something I’ll never forget”.
Daniel Mullen comes from an esteemed footballing family – his father Joe is a three-time National Soccer League winner with Adelaide City.
The South Australian said that he is proud to have followed in his father’s footsteps.
“I’m lucky that I have the full support of my family, and obviously I have looked up to my Dad my whole life,” he said. “To follow in his footsteps is something I am very proud of so hopefully I can make more appearances and try and catch his number!”
