TRENT SAINSBURY, THE NERAZZURRI AUSTRALIAN

MILAN - In theory Carl Valeri and Nathan Coe were the Antipodean trailblazers. Inter, always leading the way in terms of scouting, spotted them playing for the green and gold at the 2001 Under-17 World Cup and brought them to Interello. They both came within touching distance of the first team, albeit without ever playing, before their careers took vastly different trajectories. Valeri flitted between Italy's second and third tier, while Coe decided to move to Dutch football, without much success. Another Inter Aussie, however, owes a lot to the Eredivisie. Trent Sainsbury, 25, signed for the Nerazzurri in the January transfer window. He's now back in Europe where he previously made his mark with PEC Zwolle, winning the Dutch Cup and Super Cup in 2014.

The centre back's career has been heavily influenced by his family and hometown. Sainsbury grew up idolising his father Scott. Sainsbury Snr was born in England and supported Chelsea and was a key member of the Armadale first team. From their Trent moved to AIS, with whom he won the student title, before joining Perth Glory. These stop-offs paved the way for a career in the professional game, which began in 2010 when he signed for Central Coast Mariners.

It was at Gosford, however, where his life changed. He won the 2012/13 A League and was named in the team of the year and fell in love with Elena, the son of his coach Graham Arnold. He was inspired to be more demanding with himself by Arnold, who even gave Sainsbury a motivational book full of notes. Trent stood out due to his clear head, quick decision making, bravery and ability in the air. He was also equally adept at staying tight to opposition strikers and playing the ball out from the back.

This mix of elegance on the ball and bite in the challenge saw him claim the 2015 Asian Cup for his country in a side featuring Massimo Luongo and Matthew Ryan. Sainsbury is a born winner and is no way fazed by making the step up. His career has come on leaps and bounds, fitting really for a player dubbed "Skippy" ever since his spell at PEC Zwolle. That's why he embraced the challenge of a switch to Jiangsu Suning, before joining Zhang's Inter in January 2017. While his signing was met with an underwhelming reception in some quarters, the Australia international has everything it takes to prove a success at Inter. Though he may yet have to wait a while to make his Nerazzurri debut, we're in no doubt the San Siro crowd will acclaim F.C. Internazionale's first "Socceroo". They are brothers of the world after all.

Aniello Luciano

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