Brett Trevor Holman (born 27 March 1984) is an Australian former professional soccer player who last played for Brisbane Roar in the A-League as an attacking midfielder.

Brett Holman
Holman in 2011
Personal information
Full name Brett Trevor Holman[1]
Date of birth (1984-03-27) 27 March 1984 (age 40)
Place of birth Bankstown, Sydney Australia
Height 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Attacking midfielder
Youth career
Northern Spirit
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2001–2002 Parramatta Power 13 (5)
2002–2006 Feyenoord 0 (0)
2002–2006Excelsior (loan) 134 (39)
2006–2008 NEC Nijmegen 59 (13)
2008–2012 AZ 92 (16)
2012–2013 Aston Villa 27 (1)
2013–2015 Al Nasr 50 (8)
2015–2016 Emirates Club 20 (5)
2016–2019 Brisbane Roar 38 (10)
International career
2000–2001 Australia U17 10 (3)
2003–2004 Australia U23 16 (6)
2006–2013 Australia 63 (9)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Australia
AFC Asian Cup
Runner-up 2011 Qatar
OFC U-16/U-17 Championship
Winner 2001
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 5 May 2018

Born in Sydney, Holman played youth football for Northern Spirit before making his senior debut for Parramatta Power. He then moved to the Netherlands, where he played for a number of years before moving to Aston Villa in 2012 to play in the English Premier League. Holman moved to the UAE one year later, before returning to Australia to play for Brisbane Roar in 2016.

Holman represented Australia over 60 times between 2006 and 2013, scoring eight goals. This included goals at the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2011 AFC Asian Cup. He had previously represented Australia several times at youth level, including travelling to the 2004 Summer Olympics and the 2001 FIFA U-17 World Championship.

Early life

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Brett Holman was born in Bankstown, Sydney. He grew up in the Sydney suburb of Croydon Park. He attended Christian Brothers' High School, Lewisham. He played junior football for the Enfield Rovers Soccer Club based in the inner west of Sydney. He left school in late 2000 to pursue his footballing career, signing with the Parramatta Power.

Club career

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Holman played for Northern Spirit and Parramatta Power in Australia before moving to Dutch football club Feyenoord in 2002.[2] Once in the Netherlands he played for Excelsior Rotterdam on loan before NEC Nijmegen signed him in 2006.[2]

On 7 April 2007 Holman scored two goals for NEC Nijmegen against Eredivisie leaders, PSV Eindhoven. He was named man of the match, as NEC Nijmegen won 2–1. He was signed by AZ Alkmaar manager Louis van Gaal in the European summer of 2008 for €3m.[3]

On 1 November 2008 Holman scored his first goal for AZ Alkmaar in a 3–3 away draw against SC Heerenveen at the Abe Lenstra Stadion in Heerenveen after coming on as a second-half replacement for Nick van der Velden.

During most of the AZ Alkmaar's title-winning 2008–2009 Eredivisie season Holman struggled for starting opportunities and at the end of the campaign was rumoured to be on his way out at the club.[4] However, he was retained and was given more playing time under the new manager.

Under Dick Advocaat Holman has been given substantially more game time, including a number of appearances in the UEFA Europa League. On matchday 6, Holman impressed in AZ Alkmaar's 1–1 draw against Standard Liège.

Aston Villa

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In March 2012, Holman signed a pre-contract agreement with Aston Villa, to join the club when his AZ contract expired that summer.[5]

On 1 July 2012, Holman officially became an Aston Villa player. On 14 July Holman scored on his debut, in a 2–1 victory against Burton Albion in the first match of pre-season.[6] He then scored his second goal for Villa in another pre-season match, this time against Peterborough United in a 2–0 victory on 1 August 2012.[7] On 1 December 2012, Holman scored his first league goal away at QPR.[8][9] He then followed this up with his first League Cup goal for Villa, scoring the first of four in a 4–1 victory over Norwich City in the quarter-finals.[10][11]

On 21 June 2013, he was released by mutual consent at the end of the 2012–13 season.[12] He then joined Al Nasr in Dubai, signing a two-year contract.[13]

Brisbane Roar

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On 1 September 2016, it was confirmed that he had signed for Brisbane Roar in the A-League[14][15] on a 2-year deal where he will be paid within the cap in the first year and as marquee in the second year.[16]

In November 2021, Holman won a legal battle against Brisbane Roar over insurance money the club withheld when he suffered a career-ending injury, with the Roar ordered to pay Holman $369,433.26 for an insurance payout, $41,815 in interest, as well as covering his court costs.[17]

International career

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Holman made his international debut for Australia in 2006 against Bahrain.[18]

On 19 June 2010, Holman scored the opening goal against Ghana at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa in a 1–1 draw, following up from a Marco Bresciano free kick.[19] On 24 June 2010, he then scored the second goal in the final group stage match against Serbia with a swerving 25-yard drive.[20] On 10 January 2011, Holman scored the third goal in Australia's 4–0 win over India in the Asian Cup. Holman scored a crucial equaliser for Australia against Oman in Sydney on 26 March 2013 in a World Cup Qualifier.

On 30 April 2014, Holman announced his retirement from international football.[21]

Career statistics

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Club

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Holman training with Australia in March 2009.
As of 1 June 2020
Club Season League Cup Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Parramatta Power 2000–01 NSL 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
2001–02 12 5 0 0 0 0 12 5
Parramatta total 13 5 0 0 0 0 13 5
Excelsior Rotterdam (loan) 2002–03 Eredivisie 30 6 2 0 0 0 32 6
2003–04 34 6 1 1 0 0 35 7
2004–05 Eerste Divisie 33 13 2 1 0 0 35 14
2005–06 37 14 3 1 0 0 40 15
Excelsior total 134 39 8 3 0 0 142 42
NEC Nijmegen 2006–07 Eredivisie 32 7 0 0 0 0 32 7
2007–08 27 6 2 2 0 0 29 8
NEC total 59 13 2 2 0 0 61 15
AZ Alkmaar 2008–09 Eredivisie 16 1 2 0 0 0 18 1
2009–10 24 5 2 1 6 0 32 6
2010–11 26 4 2 0 8 2 36 6
2011–12 25 4 4 0 13 3 42 7
AZ total 91 14 10 1 27 5 128 20
Aston Villa 2012–13 Premier League 27 1 2 1 0 0 29 2
Al-Nasr 2013–14 UAE Arabian Gulf League 26 3 2 0 0 0 28 3
2014–15 24 5 8 1 0 0 32 6
Al-Nasr total 50 8 10 1 0 0 60 9
Emirates Club 2015–16 UAE Arabian Gulf League 20 5 3 0 0 0 23 5
Brisbane Roar 2016–17 A-League 21 5 0 0 5 1 26 6
2017–18 17 5 1 0 1 0 19 5
2018–19 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Brisbane total 38 10 1 0 6 1 45 11
Career total 349 78 23 7 29 5 401 90

International

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International goals

# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 24 March 2007 Yuexiushan Stadium, Guangzhou, China   China 1–0 2–0 Friendly
2. 24 May 2010 Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia   New Zealand 2–1 2–1 Friendly
3. 19 June 2010 Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg, South Africa   Ghana 1–0 1–1 2010 FIFA World Cup
4. 23 June 2010 Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit, South Africa   Serbia 2–0 2–1 2010 FIFA World Cup
5. 7 September 2010 Stadion Miejski, Kraków, Poland   Poland 1–0 2–1 Friendly
6. 10 January 2011 Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha, Qatar   India 4–0 4–0 2011 AFC Asian Cup
7. 11 October 2011 Stadium Australia, Sydney, Australia   Oman 1–0 3–0 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
8. 15 November 2011 Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand   Thailand 1–0 1–0 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
9. 26 March 2013 Stadium Australia, Sydney, Australia   Oman 2–2 2–2 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

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AZ

Al-Nasr

Australia

Australia U-17

Individual

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010: List of Players: Australia" (PDF). FIFA. 4 June 2010. p. 3. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 April 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Holman, Brett". Australian Player Database. OzFootball. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
  3. ^ Football : Dutch First Division transfers in 2008/2009 season
  4. ^ : AZ Set To Part Company With Holman, goal.com, 14 May 2009
  5. ^ "Holman agrees to Villa in the summer". avfc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
  6. ^ "Match report: Burton Albion 1–2 Villa". AVFC. 14 July 2012. Archived from the original on 17 July 2012.
  7. ^ "Pre-season match report: Peterborough 0–2 Villa". AVFC. 14 July 2012. Archived from the original on 4 August 2012.
  8. ^ "QPR 1–1 Villa match report: Holman goal earns solid point". avfc.co.uk. Aston Villa Football Club. 1 December 2012. Archived from the original on 4 December 2012. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
  9. ^ "QPR 1–1 Aston Villa". BBC Sport. 1 December 2012. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
  10. ^ "Norwich 1–4 Villa match report: Weimann brace earns semi-final place". avfc.co.uk. Aston Villa Football Club. 11 December 2012. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015.
  11. ^ "Norwich 1–4 Aston Villa". BBC Sport. 11 December 2012.
  12. ^ "Holman leaves Villa". Aston Villa F.C. 22 June 2013. Archived from the original on 24 June 2013. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
  13. ^ "Brett Holman signs for Al Nasr as Asian player". Pro League Committee. 21 June 2013. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
  14. ^ "Former Socceroo Signs with Roar". FourFourTwo Australia. 1 September 2016. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
  15. ^ "BRFC sign Socceroo Brett Holman". Brisbane Roar FC. 1 September 2016. Archived from the original on 1 September 2016. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
  16. ^ Monteverde, Marco (1 September 2016). "Holman signs with Brisbane Roar on long-term deal". Courier Mail. News Corp Limited. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
  17. ^ Crockford, Toby (30 November 2021). "Ex-Socceroo wins insurance payout after court tussle with Brisbane Roar". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  18. ^ "Player Profile – Brett Holman". Football Federation Australia. Archived from the original on 11 October 2012. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
  19. ^ Sheringham, Sam (19 June 2010). "Ghana 1–1 Australia". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 June 2010.
  20. ^ Fletcher, Paul (23 June 2010). "Australia 2–1 Serbia". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
  21. ^ "Brett Holman announces retirement from Socceroos". The Guardian. 30 April 2014.
  22. ^ "AFC Asian Cup 2011, Australian Squad". Retrieved 14 October 2024.
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