18-year-old Lucas Herrington could be MLS’s biggest export since Alphonso Davies
Lucas Herrington wasn’t in Colorado for long. Indeed, it was only in January that the teenager made the move to Major League Soccer with the Colorado Rapids having joined the club from Brisbane Roar for a reported $400,000. Now, only six months on, Herrington is on his way to the Premier League, and for a lot more than $400,000.
Hull City are reportedly close to completing a deal worth a potential $23m to sign Herrington. This would make the 18-year-old the second-most expensive export in MLS history, ahead of Alphonso Davies and Thiago Almada and behind only Jhon Durán. The young Australian is clearly rated very highly.
And with good reason. Herrington has all the attributes to become one of the best defenders in the game. He is physically imposing, especially for someone of his tender age. Herrington is averaging more defensive contributions per 90 minutes (8.9) than any other Colorado Rapids player this season.
Herrington also leads the way for clearances (5.6) and blocks (1.2) per 90 minutes among his Colorado teammates, highlighting his natural instincts for defending. The teenager is strong in the air and is positionally mature. It’s extremely rare to see Herrington caught out of position.
In possession, Herrington is just as impressive. The 18-year-old is leading Colorado for accurate passes per 90 minutes (75.2) this season and is a key component in the way Matt Wells’ team play out from the back. The former Tottenham Hotspur coach wants his side to be proactive in possession and Herrington facilitates that.
All this is why Herrington quickly became such hot property. Barcelona reportedly had a $7m offer for the teenager rejected earlier in the summer transfer window with Liverpool also believed to be admirers. It’s easy to see why Europe’s elite are tracking Herrington’s development. He has the tools to reach that level.
Hull might not be at Barca or Liverpool’s level, but the newly promoted Premier League side could give Herrington the perfect platform to demonstrate his quality. He will be expected to play almost every match for the Tigers who will use Herrington at the heart of their backline. The young Australian will come up against some of the most formidable forwards in the world.
Herrington started matches against Egypt and Paraguay for the Socceroos at the World Cup and is expected to have a key role to play for Australia in the future. He is the sort of all-round defender they have lacked. His technical ability in particular could elevate Australia’s ability to control matches. The move to Hull will make Herrington the second-most expensive Australian player in history.
Colorado deserve a lot of credit for the way they have flipped Herrington so quickly for such a massive profit. The Rapids are known for their shrewd scouting having also made a profit on the likes of Djordje Mihailović, Moïse Bombito, Auston Trusty and Cole Bassett, but Herrington is their biggest success story to date.
Brisbane Roar can also take a lot of credit for bringing through Herrington, although the A-League club will receive none of the $23m paid by Hull City for the defender. Brisbane’s perilous financial situation saw them sell their sell-on fee back to the Colorado Rapids for a reported $560,000 when that clause would have netted them millions.
The Rapids haven’t made the same mistake, reportedly including a sell-on clause in their deal to sell Harrington to Hull. Should the Tigers move on the Australian at a profit, Colorado will be in line for another healthy pay day. If all goes to plan, MKM Stadium will only be a stop-off on Herrington’s route to the top.
Of course, Herrington still has to prove himself in the Premier League and that won’t be easy. Hull City are expected to struggle this season. They are favourites to suffer an immediate return to the Championship and Herrington will find himself directly in the firing line as the last line of defence.
This could be the experience Herrington needs to develop further. Virgil Van Dijk, for example, had his introduction to the Premier League at Southampton, a team that found itself in a similar position to the one Hull City are destined to experience this season. It served the Dutchman well before joining Liverpool.
It would be hyperbolic to suggest Herrington is the next Van Dijk, but the young Australian has clearly made the move to Hull City with one eye on what might come a little bit further down the line. He might have rebuffed Barcelona and Liverpool this time, but their ilk could come calling again in the near future.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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