One of the biggest talents in the NPL has earned his shot

Oscar Gonzalez's remarkable rise through Australian football has reached another milestone after joining A-League premiers Newcastle Jets.

The highly-rated teenager has completed a move to Newcastle on a two-year deal after starring for APIA Leichhardt in NPL NSW, linking up with a club preparing to defend their Premiership and compete in the AFC Champions League Elite next season.

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“I’m excited for this new chapter in my career,” Gonzalez said. “I’m honoured to be joining the Newcastle Jets, and I can’t wait to get started. Let’s go!”

For followers of Australian state league football, the move comes as little surprise.

Those displays have now been rewarded with an opportunity at the highest level of the Australian game.

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Gonzalez burst onto the scene with APIA during the 2025 Australian Championship, scoring on debut at the age of 16 against Bayswater City, before scoring a late equaliser in APIA’s penalty shootout defeat to Marconi Stallions.

This season, the 17-year-old has scored 12 goals in 22 games across all competitions, helping APIA contend for top spot in NPL NSW as well as qualifying for the Australia Cup Round of 32.

Jets head coach and former Socceroo Mark Milligan said: “Oscar is an exciting young player who has a natural instinct for goal, mixed with unbelievable work ethic and massive engine.

“He has all the attributes to be a fantastic footballer.”