Adelaide United young gun Leckie proud of what he has already achieved

Australia’s next big thing in football admits he sometimes has to pinch himself to make sure it is not just a dream.

Adelaide United attacking midfielder Mathew Leckie has come on in leaps and bounds in the past year-and-a-half, becoming one of the A-League’s most dangerous attacking threats whilst masterminding the midfield for the Young Socceroos.

The 19-year old knows he has a long way to go but was happy with what he had achieved in the infantile stages of his career.

“Where I have come from is great for me and I'm pretty proud," he said.

"I guess I'm just used to it now. It's been a while now, I've been in this environment for so long. It comes naturally now to live the lifestyle that I'm living, training full time every day at a professional club. But yeah, I still do look back there and where I was and I have come a long way."

There is every chance that Leckie will find himself with a European or big Asian club in the near future but he admits, for now, that Adelaide is a good place for him to continue his development.

"Adelaide is a great place and since I've been here it's been great for me," he added.

"I've learnt a lot, but obviously if something did come up then I would look at it. But I'm happy here as well so it comes down to making a decision.

"It's good over here. The A-League is a great league and it's getting better and better as the years go on. For me to play over here it's been great, every game is a tough one."