4Jacob Michael Italiano is an Australian professional footballer from Perth who plays primarily as a right-sided defender or wing-back for Grazer AK in Austria. He developed through Inglewood United, Football West pathways and Perth Glory, became one of the youngest players to appear in the A-League Men, moved to Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2019 and later established himself in Austria. Italiano made his senior Australia debut in October 2025, earned Socceroos cap number 653 and was selected in…
Born in Perth on 30 July 2001, Jacob Italiano began with Inglewood United before progressing through Football West development programmes and the Australian national Centre of Excellence. His pathway led to Perth Glory, where he made his A-League Men debut during the 2017–18 season at 16. Perth Glory described him as a quick, skilful attacking player, while his later club profiles record his ability to operate as a winger, attacking midfielder and outside defender.
Italiano’s early senior breakthrough was significant: he made 12 starts in his debut A-League Men season and finished the campaign with 18 top-flight appearances. His potential attracted Borussia Mönchengladbach, and he moved to Germany in 2019 shortly before his 18th birthday. He played primarily for Borussia Mönchengladbach II in the Regionalliga West, while also training regularly with the senior squad. Across his German reserve-team period he made more than 100 appearances, but he did not make a senior Bundesliga appearance.
In June 2024, Italiano joined Grazer AK on a three-year contract. The Austrian club presented him as a versatile wide player capable of contributing in attack and defence. His performances in Graz eventually led to his first senior Australia call-up. He debuted for the Socceroos against Canada on 10 October 2025 and, according to the national-team profile, had four senior appearances without a goal by the time of Australia’s 2026 World Cup squad announcement.
Italiano was selected for Australia’s 2026 FIFA World Cup squad and started the opening group matches against Türkiye and the United States. He missed the final group match against Paraguay after sustaining an injury in training. Grazer AK subsequently confirmed an adductor muscle tear and stated that he had returned to Graz to begin rehabilitation. As at 18 August 2026, the supplied provider data lists him as active at Grazer AK, but a verified return-to-play date was not located.
Italiano’s first major breakthrough came with Perth Glory during the 2017–18 A-League Men season. Aged 16, he made his first-team debut and recorded 12 starts in his debut campaign. His performances prompted Borussia Mönchengladbach to sign him in 2019. Sources differ on the exact age-based ranking used, but Perth Glory and Grazer AK both identify his teenage A-League debut as the key launch point of his professional career.
Verified senior-national-team record: four Socceroos appearances and zero goals in the Football Australia squad listing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Senior debut: Australia v Canada, 10 October 2025. Socceroos cap number: 653. Verified club milestones include 18 A-League Men appearances for Perth Glory and more than 100 reserve-team appearances for Borussia Mönchengladbach II, although the precise cumulative German total was not confirmed from a primary statistical record. His verified honours include Perth Glory’s 2018–19 A-League Men premiership, Australia U23’s third-place finish at the 2020 AFC U23 Championship and Australia’s 2016 AFF U-16 Championship title.
His defining early moment was breaking into Perth Glory’s first team as a 16-year-old in the 2017–18 A-League Men season. Another major career moment was signing for Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2019 and spending several seasons in Germany’s Regionalliga West. His full-international breakthrough came when he started Australia’s October 2025 friendly against Canada. His most prominent appearance to date was starting Australia’s first two matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup before an adductor injury ended his tournament.