Former Premier League star, 31, ‘basically Messi’ in new league after quitting English football in bold career move

FORMER Huddersfield and Nottingham Forest winger Joe Lolley is tearing it up in Australia.

The English forward, 31, left the City Ground to join A-League side Sydney FC in 2022.

Joe Lolley has been sensational for Sydney FCGetty

He won Sydney’s Player of the Year award after a sensational campaignGetty

Lolley cleaned up at Sydney’s awards do as he came home with a host of trophies and medalsInstagram @joelolley_

He departed with a record of 26 goals and 27 assists in 171 games for the two-time European champions – having also secured promotion to the Premier League with Forest.

But he has now become a superstar Down Under after a sensational season with Sydney.

He contributed 12 goals and seven assists in 28 matches and was named the club’s Player of the Year as Sydney finished fourth in the top flight and won the Australia Cup.

He also scooped the Alex Tobin Award – which goes to the player “who demonstrates leadership, achievement, commitment and service to his fellow players and the game”.

And the accolades do not end there.

Lolley won the Members Player of the Year, the Mark Viduka Medal for the best player in the Australia Cup final, and was the joint winner of the Golden Boot.

He said: “It means a lot to me to be named Sydney FC Player of the Year.

“It has been a great year, one of my best in my career and I would like to thank my team-mates, the coaches, Sydney FC Members and everyone at the club. 

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“It’s a real honour to play for this fantastic club especially for our amazing fans and I can’t wait to get going again next season.”

Meanwhile, the reaction to clips of him on social media have seen fans heap praise on Lolley – with one even comparing him to Lionel Messi.

They said: “He’s basically Messi over there. Never coming back to these shores again.”

While another football fan added: “Is there nothing Joe Lolley can’t do…”

And a third said: “My boy Joe Lolley.”

Lolley spent four years at Nottingham Forest and secured promotion with the clubGetty

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