Socceroos hopeful Jed Drew seals European move

In-form A-League Men star Jed Drew has sealed a move to the Austrian Bundesliga in a bid to bolster his shot for a Socceroos call-up.

Drew is tipped to join top-flight side TSV Hartberg after Macarthur FC confirmed his departure on Thursday.

The 21-year-old sets sail off the back of a thrilling campaign in the Australian domestic league.

After debuting in 2022, Socceroos hopeful Drew leads the league with seven assists and has scored six goals in 13 matches.

He is the third Macarthur player to secure an overseas move during the January transfer window, joining Ariath Piol (Real Salt Lake) and Oli Jones (Randers).

The transfer fee for Drew has not yet been disclosed.

"My time at the Bulls has been unbelievable," Drew said in a club statement.

"I'm so grateful for the club giving me a chance and to give me my debut a couple years back was such a good feeling.

"Starting in the NPL side a few years back, I really found my enjoyment for the game again that year."

Drew departs with Australia Cup champions Macarthur sitting fourth on the table, despite a tumultuous off-season headlined by a spot-fixing investigation into some of the club's leading players.

Former captain Ulises Davila and midfield duo Kearyn Baccus and Clayton Lewis have all been charged and are due to face court in the coming months.

Drew was named in court documents relating to the allegations but has not been arrested or charged, with NSW Police previously stating that the winger is not considered a suspect in the case.

"It wasn't the greatest year last year, but the club really made sure I was in a good headspace coming back into the pre-season this year," Drew said in a statement.

"I think the group of players this season have been the best group we've had."

Drew moves to Europe as Socceroos coach Tony Popovic mulls the make up of his squad ahead of the World Cup qualifiers against Indonesia and China in March.

Bulls captain Germain endorsed Drew for a national team call-up.

"I hope in the future, he will go maybe with the Socceroos - he deserves it," Germain said on Thursday.

"He's still young, but he has shown (quality) in the last six months with a lot of goals and a lot of assists.

"For the club, it's a big loss, but at least it's a big opportunity for him and even for the club to make money.

"It's like this in Australia when you have a good, young player with a lot of quality, for sure, big clubs or clubs in Europe will watch them and try to find them."