Born in
Sydney, Mooy made his professional debut with
St Mirren in 2010 before returning to Australia with
Western Sydney Wanderers, winning the
A-League Premiers' title in their
inaugural season. However, after inconsistent playing time, he left for
Melbourne City and eventually joined
Manchester City in 2016. Mooy was immediately loaned to Huddersfield, achieving promotion to the
Premier League for the first time in the club's history. He signed a permanent deal the following season. After spending two more seasons and being relegated, Mooy was loaned out to
Brighton in August 2020 and signed a permanent deal in January 2021. The same year, he then agreed a transfer deal to the
Chinese Super League with
Shanghai Port but was released due to the COVID outbreak. He joined Celtic in July 2022, being a key part in their 8th treble, winning the
Scottish Premiership,
Scottish League Cup and
Scottish Cup before retiring in June 2023.
An Australian international, Mooy amassed a total of 57 caps and 7 goals during his time playing for
Australia, mainly playing in the World Cup qualifying campaigns. He played in two World Cups, the
2018 World Cup and
2022 World Cup, with his final appearance against
Argentina before retiring in June 2023.
Early life
Aaron Frank Mooy was born on 15 September 1990 in
Sydney, Australia.[13] At birth, he was given the name Aaron Kuhlman, but his surname was changed by his Dutch mother after she divorced his father during Mooy's early childhood.[14] Mooy had minimal contact with his father, with their only meeting occurring when Mooy was a toddler, and briefly again at 14 during which his father signed forms for his Dutch passport.[15] During this time, Mooy met his brother Alex at a shopping centre whilst accompanied by his
Wanderers teammates.[16]
During his upbringing, Mooy developed an interest in watching
Premier League matches, particularly favouring
Manchester United.
David Beckham became his favourite player, and he would watch Beckham's games and practice
free kicks, often pretending to be him.[14][16] One day, Mooy expressed his enjoyment of playing with friends to his mother, who promptly registered him with the Carlingford Redbacks, a club that his German stepfather, Alan Todd, would soon join to coach his team.[17]
Mooy started his career in Europe as a youth scholar at
Bolton Wanderers after being spotted by
Chris Sulley.[21] He rejected a contract extension from Bolton in July 2010 in search of more first team football.[22][23] Mooy joined
Scottish Premier League club
St Mirren on 23 October 2010,[24] and made his league debut for the Saints on the same day in a 3–0 loss to
Hearts.[25] On 18 January 2011, he scored his first goal for the club, in the fourth-round replay, in a 6–1 win over
Peterhead.[26] Having made 18 appearances and scoring once in all competitions, he was offered a new contract in April 2011[27] before agreeing a two-year contract with the club in May.[28]
The 2011–12 season was marked by Mooy having suffered a stress fracture in his back.[29] As months went by, his recovery started going well.[30] Soon after, he went to a specialist to get over his injury.[31] On 17 December 2011, Mooy made his return, coming as a substitute, in a 1–1 draw against
Motherwell[32] and the next game, he scored his first league goal for the club against
Rangers at
St Mirren Park on Christmas Eve 2011.[33] On 20 June 2012, Mooy was released from St Mirren, expected to return back in Australia, and join an
A-League club in
West Sydney. He departed the club, making a total of 30 appearances.[34][35]
On 6 October, Mooy made his competitive debut in the opening game of the season in a 0–0 home draw against
Central Coast Mariners.[40] He played in the first
Sydney Derby match on 20 October, where his side succumbed to a 1–0 defeat after
Alessandro Del Piero scored the winner for
Sydney FC.[41][42] On 23 February 2013, Mooy scored his first goal for the club, netting the winner in a 1–0 win against
Perth Glory,[43] but was benched the next game by
Tony Popovic before the Wanderers' won their 8th successive win in a row.[44] Mooy would miss the final games against
Brisbane Roar and
Newcastle due to a knee injury,[45] as the Wanderers lifted the Premiers' Plate in the last round at
Hunter Stadium in front of 8,000 Wanderers fans.[46]
He made his return in the
Grand Final where his side lost 2–0 to
Central Coast Mariners.[47][48] In January 2014, Mooy handed in a request for a transfer, effective immediately, to Western Sydney Wanderers after being unhappy with inconsistent game time during the season.[49] In the following games, he scored in two consecutive matches, netting his 2nd and 3rd goals of the season against Perth Glory and Newcastle respectively.[50] Leading into February, Mooy was in the finalised squad for the Wanderers in their first
AFC Champions League campaign.[51] He scored his first
AFC Champions League goal in a 5–0
group stage victory over
Guizhou Renhe, securing his side qualification to the
Round of 16.[52] Two weeks later, Mooy was subbed on in his second consecutive
Grand Final where he was booked in extra time before losing 2–1 to Brisbane Roar in front of 51,153 attendees at
Suncorp Stadium.[53][54] On 21 May, Mooy was released by the club.[55]
Melbourne City
2014–15
On the day of his release, Mooy signed a two-year contract with
Melbourne City.[56] He made his league debut on 11 October 2014 against
Sydney FC,[57] sitting in midfield behind a forward line consisting of
David Villa.[58] The following matches, after registering two assists, Mooy was named as Melbourne City's inaugural Etihad Player of the month for October,[59] and soon for November due his performance in City's first win of the season against
Brisbane Roar.[60] Mooy scored his first goal on 7 December, the only goal from a
penalty in the home fixture against Brisbane.[61] He was voted
Man of the match for his performance.[62] On 27 December, Mooy received his second Man of the match award, scoring a goal in City's 1–1 draw against
Perth Glory.[63][64]
Continuing his form in February, Mooy scored the winning goal from 20 metres against his former club,
Western Sydney Wanderers, to secure his side a 2–1 win.[65][66] His performances labelled him by
John van 't Schip as his "most stable and most important player".[67] By the end of the season, Mooy was named on three awards; collecting the Golden Boot (7 goals), Supporters’ Player of the Year and the Player of the Year in Melbourne City's award ceremony.[68] In reflection to this, he contributed to 47% of City's total goals, led the A-League for balls into the penalty area, completed crosses, completed through balls and shot assists, while defensively he was second in the competition for effective tackles.[69]
2015–16
On 11 August 2015, Mooy re-signed with the club, a three-year deal as the club's
marquee player ahead of the
2015–16 season.[70] He started his campaign, scoring the opening goal from a penalty, in a 5–1 win over
Wellington Phoenix in the
FFA Cup.[71] In the subsequent round, Mooy scored his first
hat-trick, the first City player to do so in a cup match, in a 5–0 victory against
Heidelberg United at
Olympic Village.[72][73] In the first
Melbourne Derby of the league season, Mooy assisted twice, giving
Bruno Fornaroli his first league goal for the club, before losing 3–2 to
Melbourne Victory at
Etihad Stadium.[74] In the following month, Mooy would accumalte 13 goal contributions, including 6 goals and 7 assists, peaking interest from Saudi Arabian club
Al Nassr whom City rejected a record $2 million dollar offer from.[75]
Following pasts the
New Year, Mooy missed the game against
Sydney FC due to a
rib fracture he received three weeks before.[76] Mooy made his return on 9 January 2016, against his former side
Western Sydney Wanderers, helping his side to a 3–2 win and ending the Wanderers' 10 game unbeaten streak.[77] On 26 February, Mooy scored his 10th goal of the season, from a deflected
free kick, in a 2–1 league defeat to Wellington at
Westpac Stadium.[78] Mooy would score his 11th on 18 March against Brisbane,[79] followed by
Harry Novillo who scored his 10th on 28 March,[80] with City becoming the first A-League club to have three players with double-figures in goals; with Novillo (10), Mooy (11) and Fornaroli (21).[81] City finished their league campaign, following a 4–1 loss to
Adelaide United in the
A-League semi-final.[82]
By the end of the season, Mooy finished with 11 goals and 21 assists in the league, setting a new record for the most assists in an A-League season and became the first player in A-Leagues history to reach double digits in both goals and assists in a single season.[83][84] Mooy was placed second in the
Johnny Warren Medal, losing to Perth Glory's
Diego Castro.[85]
Huddersfield Town
2016–17: Acquisition from Man City and loan to Huddersfield
Mooy was signed by
Manchester City on a three-year deal on 30 June 2016.[86] His contract was understood to be around
$4 million per year, making him one of the highest-paid Australian footballers.[87] Six days after signing for
Manchester City, Mooy was loaned to Championship side
Huddersfield Town for the
2016–17 season.[88] He made his Huddersfield debut in their 2–1 win over
Brentford on 6 August,[89] and scored his first goal for them on 10 September in a 1–0 win over
Leeds United in a
West Yorkshire derby.[90] On 28 November 2016, he scored the equaliser in an eventual 2–1 loss at home to
Wigan Athletic.[91] Huddersfield Town fans voted Mooy as the best player of the season.[92] Mooy was involved in the squad that won the
play-off final, scoring one of Huddersfield's four penalties in the penalty shootout against
Reading, which secured them
Premier League status for the
2017–18 season, the first time in the club's history.[93][94]
2017–2019: Permanent transfer and Premier league debut
On 15 June 2017, it was reported that Huddersfield had agreed a fee with Manchester City to sign Mooy on a permanent basis. The fee was reported to be an initial £8 million, potentially rising to £10 million depending on add-ons. City would also have a buy-back clause for Mooy.[95] The transfer was finalised on 30 June.[96] Mooy made his Premier League debut for Huddersfield in their first game of the
2017–18 season, a 3–0 win over
Crystal Palace, Mooy himself involved in two of the goals.[97] He scored his first Premier League goal one week later, the only goal of the game as Huddersfield defeated
Newcastle United.[98] On 21 October 2017, Mooy scored the opening goal as Huddersfield upset
Manchester United 2–1 in a Premier League clash at
Kirklees Stadium.[99] Following the match, a fan gifted Mooy £5 for his performance, which he later donated to the club's Town Foundation—a charitable organization dedicated to supporting children in the local community.[100] On 17 December, Mooy added his 3rd and 4th goal of the season, including a brace in the 89th minute from the penalty spot, securing a 4–1 win over
Watford.[101] He helped Huddersfield clinch survival on 9 May 2018, assisting
Laurent Depoitre, to draw 1–1 at
Stamford Bridge against
Chelsea.[102]
After recovering from bad form in the early stages of the
2018–19 season, Mooy scored two goals, his second being a free kick past
Rui Patrício, to secure a 2–0 win against
Wolverhampton Wanderers, sending his side above the relegation zone.[103] In addition to this, Mooy ended his 29 game run without scoring a goal.[104] However, during December, Mooy sustained a knee injury after a match against
Arsenal which consigned him on the sidelined for two months.[105] From there, Huddersfield recorded 6 losses and 1 draw in their next 7 games, returning to the bottom of the table and manager
David Wagner departing soon afterwards.[106] Mooy returned to fitness in late January 2019,[107] but his side form began to falter resulting in relegation after a 3–0 defeat to Crystal Palace before the end of March; equalling
Derby’s record for the earliest relegation from the division.[108] Mooy would look to depart the club, having a reported asking price set on $25 million valuation before the transfer window closes on August 9.[109]
Brighton & Hove Albion
On 8 August 2019, Mooy joined
Brighton & Hove Albion on a one-year loan from Huddersfield Town, joining alongside international teammate
Mathew Ryan.[110] He made his debut for the club as a substitute on 17 August, in a 1–1 home draw against
West Ham United in the Premier League.[111] On 19 October, Mooy was sent off for the first time in his club career after receiving two bookings in the 30th and 35th minute (for fouling
Jack Grealish) in Brighton's eventual 2–1 loss to
Aston Villa.[112][113] On 9 December, Mooy assisted the winning goal, a cross to
Neal Maupay, to win the game 2–1 against Arsenal at
Emirates Stadium.[114] In the same month, on 28 December, Mooy scored his first goal for The Albion in a 2–0 victory over
Bournemouth.[115] His goal was nominated in
Premier League Goal of the Month.[116] On 24 January 2020, Brighton announced the permanent signing of Mooy, on a three-and-a-half-year contract,[117] in a deal reported to be worth £5 million.[118][119] He finished his first season for the south-coast team, making 32 appearances.[120]
Shanghai Port
On 28 August 2020, it was announced that Mooy had signed for
Chinese Super League team
Shanghai SIPG (now known as Shanghai Port) after activating a £4 million release clause.[121] Brighton head coach
Graham Potter said upon his departure "I have really enjoyed working with him, and on behalf of everyone at the club I would like to thank him for his contribution and wish him well for the future".[122]
On 15 September 2020, Mooy scored the winning goal on his debut, after coming on in the second half in a 2–1 win against
Wuhan.[123] He would lead his side to second in the
AFC Champions League group stage,[124] before getting knocked out in the
Round of 16 after a 2–0 loss to
Vissel Kobe.[125] The next
season, Mooy missed out on the
2021 AFC Champions League after Shanghai Port withdrawn due to
lockdown rules in China.[126] As the lockdowns extended, Mooy refused to return to China for pre-season despite multiple request from Shanghai, in fear of being caught in the pandemic.[127] Shanghai soon negotiated an early release to Mooy in July 2022.[128] His last competitive appearance for the club was on 9 January, after making 13 appearances and 5 goals during the campaign.[129] In order to keep fit, Mooy returned to
Glasgow, where his family were based, to train with a fitness coach who flew from
Australia's training camp in
Dubai.[130][131]
Celtic
On 19 July 2022, Mooy signed a two-year deal with
Celtic, reuniting with former manager,
Ange Postecoglou.[132] His contract was worth £1.2 million per year,[133] having taken a salary cut from his £3 million per year contract in China.[134]
Mooy made his debut for the club on 31 July, coming on as a late substitute in a 2–0 home win over
Aberdeen in the
Scottish Premiership.[135] He made his
Champions League debut in a 3–0 home loss to
defending championsReal Madrid on 6 September,[136] and later earning his first start for the club in a 2–0 away loss against St Mirren on 18 September.[137] On 28 December, Mooy scored his first goals for Celtic, leading his side by netting the opener and a brace in a 4–0 victory against
Hibernian at
Easter Road.[138] Mooy went on to provide 6 goals and 6 assists in all competitions by 5 February 2023,[139] after adding a goal and an assist in a 4–1 win over
St Johnstone.[140] On 26 February, Mooy started in Celtic's 2–1 victory over Rangers in the
League Cup final, contributing to the build-up of the second goal and securing his side's first trophy of the
season.[141][142]
Continuing on his form in the
Scottish Cup, on 11 March, Mooy scored the opening goal within just over 100 seconds, to lead his side into an eventual 3–0
quarter finals victory over
Hearts.[143] However, a week later, Celtic announced that Mooy will be out due to injury, after carrying "soreness" for a couple of weeks during their tight schedule.[144][145] He made his return on 8 April, where his side won 3–2 against Rangers.[146] On 7 May, Mooy helped Celtic retain the
Scottish Premiership title, achieving a
double, after assisting
Oh Hyeon-gyu brace to ensure a 2–0 victory against Hearts at home.[147] Consequently, it would be Mooy's final appearance for the club due to back problems in recent weeks leading to him being ruled out in the
Scottish Cup final.[148] Celtic went on to achieve a historic domestic treble, for a record 8th time, following a 3–1
final win over
Inverness.[149] In the wake of Postecoglou's departure,[150] Mooy announced his retirement from professional football on 30 June.[151][152][153]
International career
2009–2012: U20 World Cup and Olympic
As a dual Australian-Dutch national, Mooy is eligible to play for the national team of both countries.[154] In recognition of his performances with the under-20 side,[155] senior manager
Pim Verbeek gave Mooy his first call-up for a
friendly match against
Republic of Ireland on 12 August 2009.[156] He was an unused substitute on the day as Australia won 3–0 at
Thomond Park.[157] Returning to the youths, Mooy represented
Australia U20 side in the
U-20 World Cup, being benched and playing one group match before starting on 3 October 2009, where he scored the opening goal for his side, a 40-yard free kick, against
Brazil in the
final group stage match.[158] Australia lost 3–1 at full time, finishing bottom of the group; the nation's worst-ever finish at the tournament.[159]
In June 2011, Mooy was named in the
Australia U23 squad under coach
Aurelio Vidmar.[160] Ahead of the
Olympic Games qualifiers, Australia played two legs, between 19 and 23 June, against
Yemen in which Mooy recorded 1 assist off the bench in a
7–0 aggregate victory to qualify for the
group stage.[161][162] Australia would be knocked out after failing to score a goal throughout the whole group stage; finishing bottom of the group with 4 draws and 2 losses, thus missing the
Olympics for the first time since
1984.[163] Mooy declared his desire to represent Australia in December 2011.[164]
2012–2017: Senior debut and World Cup qualifiers
On 7 December 2012, Mooy made his senior debut for Australia at
Hong Kong Stadium, scoring the opening goal in a 9–0 victory against
Guam in the
second preliminary round of the
East Asian Cup.[165] Two days later, he scored his second goal for his nation in an 8–0 win against
Chinese Taipei, ensuring qualification to the
final stage of the competition.[166] From there Mooy didn't make another senior appearance until he started in the last group match on 28 July 2013, scoring the equaliser, in a 4–3 loss to
China.[167] Ahead of the
2015 Asian Cup, Mooy was initially included in the 46-man provisional squad by manager Ange Postecoglou, who would finalise a trimmed 23-man squad before the tournament began.[168] However, he was ultimately excluded from the final selection and instead participated in a 12-day camp at
New York University in
Abu Dhabi alongside the other 22 unselected players, playing scheduled friendlies from 11 to 18 January 2015.[169]
Although he missed the opening match in June, Mooy was recalled under Postecoglou despite concerns of his fitness,[170] for the
World Cup qualifiers in September.[171] In the following matches, he scored a brace in Australia's 5–0 win over
Bangladesh and was involved in their opening goal of a 3–0 victory in their next match against
Tajikistan.[172][173] At the second round of the
group stage, now placed as a starter,[174] Mooy assisted once and forced an error from keeper
Ruslan Amirov that led to an
own goal in a 3–0 win against
Kyrgyzstan,[175] before helping The Socceroos top the table after providing a
hat-trick of assists for his side in a 4–0 victory against Bangladesh on 17 November.[176] In March 2016, Mooy went on to record 1 goal and 2 assists in the last two matches of the group against Tajikistan (7–0),[177] and
Jordan (5–1).[178]
In the
next stage of the competition, Mooy started in all group matches, continuing to be the key midfielder to provide his side chances.[179] Australia won their first two games before drawing consecutively in the next three matches; Mooy assisted once during the first half of the group.[180][181] Following the second round of the group, Mooy assisted the opening goal in a 1–1 draw against
Iraq.[182] After a 2–0 win over
United Arab Emirates, he assisted the winning goal, a sharp pass to
Tom Rogic in the 72nd minute, in a crucial 3–2 win against
Saudi Arabia to keep his nation in contention for World Cup qualification.[183] Australia finished the campaign in third place, missing out on direct qualification and resorted to qualify through a
play-off round.[184] Mooy was involved in the winning goal at extra time, securing a
3–2 aggregate win over
Syria to progress to the
final round against
Honduras on 15 November 2017.[185] After an initial 0–0 draw, Australia won 3–1 in the second leg to ensure qualification for the
2018 World Cup in Russia.[186]
2018–2021: World Cup and pandemic
On 16 June 2018, Mooy made his World Cup debut at
Kazan Arena, starting in the opening match against
France. He was involved in the lead-up to Australia's penalty goal, which resulted from a free kick being handled by French defender
Samuel Umtiti. Mooy's presence in midfield was instrumental in limiting the opposition's scoring opportunities and creating key chances in the attacking front as his side lost 2–1 at full-time.[187][188] Unfortunately, due to their lack of attacking presence, Australia fell
bottom of the group, only able to score their goals from the penalty spot following a 1–1 draw against
Denmark and a 2–0 defeat to
Peru.[189]
Following the tournament, Mooy would miss the entirety of the
Asian Cup campaign in January 2019 due to a torn
medial collateral ligament in his right knee which was expected to keep him out for three months.[190][191] Despite this, he was added into the final squad for the tournament under newly appointed manager
Graham Arnold.[192] Mooy made his international return on 10 September, scoring a brace in a 3–0 win over
Kuwait in Australia's first match of the
2022 World Cup qualifier.[193] In the following matches, Mooy gathered three assists, helping his side triumph over
Nepal and Chinese Taipei to continue their perfect start.[194][195] However, after 18-months of no international football due to COVID-19, Mooy made his return with Australia in August 2021 after being added to the 27-man squad set to play in the remaining group matches and
third round fixtures.[196][197] He made his eventual return as a substitute on 2 September in a 3–0 victory over China.[198]
For the remaining matches, Mooy was delegated onto the bench, only to come on to keep possession for his side when in a winning lead.[199] He made his first start, since returning from COVID, for Australia on 12 October in a 2–0 loss to
Japan at
Saitama Stadium.[200] After his side's loss, Mooy was recalled back to his club, Shanghai, to return into quarantine due to the Chinese Government's rules and regulations in the pandemic which interfered with his playing time at international level.[201] As a result, he missed the crucial qualifier matches against Saudi Arabia and China.[202][203]
2022–2023: Last World Cup and retirement
After the end of his club's domestic season, Mooy was called-up to Australia in January 2022 for the forthcoming matches of the World Cup qualifier.[204] On 1 February, he scored a goal, his first in three-and-a-half years, for Australia in a 2–2 draw against
Oman.[205] Later that year, whilst ignoring his club's request to return,[206] Mooy made his 50th appearance for Australia on 1 June in a friendly match against Jordan.[207] A week forward, he started in the crucial match against the United Arab Emirates in the
World Cup qualification fourth round after his nation finished third in the group stage of round three; Mooy was involved in the winning goal as his corner was deflected off towards
Ajdin Hrustic, whose goal gave Australia the lead in the 84th minute and ensured a 2–1 win at
Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.[208][209] In the
play-off final against Peru, a match in which Australia was heavily favoured as the underdog, Mooy played the entire 120 minutes for his nation until the match led into a penalty shootout after 0–0 draw at the end of extra time. He scored the second penalty in the shootout before Australia eventually won 5–4 to secure World Cup qualification to
Qatar.[210]
At the
2022 FIFA World Cup, Mooy started in Australia's opening match against France where his side lost 4–1 after being 1–0 in front in the early stages of the match.[211] However, a positive performance from Mooy in the subsequent match against
Tunisia inspired his side to keep their 1–0 lead until full time.[212] The win was Australia's first since
2010 against
Serbia and first clean sheet in more than 48 years at the world stage.[213] In the final match against Denmark, Mooy continued his good form, playing a pivotal role in midfield to influence a 1–0 win, qualifying to the
Round of 16 for the first time since
2006.[214][215] He started in the match against the eventual champions
Argentina where Australia would lose 2–1 at full time, ending their World Cup campaign in the process.[216]
After the tournament, Mooy missed the "Welcome Home" matches in March 2023 against
Ecuador due to back soreness, forcing him to continue recovery in Scotland.[217] His continuous back problem eventually led him to miss the friendly match against Argentina on 15 June.[218] On 30 June, Mooy announced his retirement from professional football – in club and international football – with immediate effect. He ended his international career with 57 caps and 7 goals for Australia.[219][220]
Player profile
Style of play
Known as the "Pasty Pirlo" and "Aussie Iniesta," Mooy possesses a unique playing style that combines technical ability, vision, and tactical awareness.[221] Mooy began his professional career at St Mirren, where he played as a
deep-lying playmaker in a midfield role.[222] He showcased his ability to find space for his teammates under pressure and his speed of thought, vision, and understanding of space. This led to his nickname, the "Pasty Pirlo," drawing comparisons to the retired Italian star
Andrea Pirlo.[15]
As Mooy moved to different clubs, including Western Sydney Wanderers, Melbourne City, Huddersfield Town, Brighton, Shanghai Port, and Celtic, his playing style evolved. He became a
box-to-box midfielder, contributing both defensively and in attack.[223][224] He displayed his versatility by playing in various positions, including the right centre midfield role in Shanghai's formations and as a quarterback-like player for Huddersfield, orchestrating the team's attacks.[225]
In terms of attacking contributions, Mooy has showcased his goal-scoring ability and his accuracy in shots on target.[223] He is also capable of making dangerous passes and has impressive vision and passing range. Defensively, Mooy's numbers are average, but he excels in positioning and intercepting passes. He is a clean passer of the ball and possesses excellent vision and calmness under pressure.[226] While not known for his physicality, he compensates with his work rate off the ball, contributing to team efforts in pressing and breaking up opponents' play.[223][227]
Mooy's playing style is characterized by his ball retention, composure, and ability to find space in crowded areas.[226] He is a meticulous passer, rarely misplacing passes, and excels at dictating the pace and tempo of the game from a deeper position.[227] His intelligence in movement and positioning allows him to control and manage matches effectively.[228]
As Mooy joined Celtic under manager Ange Postecoglou, he fit well into the team's 4-3-3 system as one of the "free eights" in midfield. His networking abilities and precise passing make him a vital asset in advancing the team's play. Despite lacking pace, Mooy's ability to protect and carry the ball effectively compensates for this. While Mooy's injury record raises concerns due to his age, his versatility and impact on the field remain significant. His awareness, vision, and set-piece-taking abilities make him a valuable asset in creating scoring opportunities for his team.[229]
Reception
Mooy has received widespread acclaim for his performances throughout his career, earning recognition as one of Australia's greatest-ever midfielders. His technical ability, defensive qualities, and unique playing style have garnered praise from players, coaches, and fans alike.[230]
Huddersfield Town legend
Andy Booth, who scored 137 goals for the club, went as far as suggesting that Mooy may be the best player in the club's 109-year history. Booth emphasized Mooy's phenomenal achievements and workload, highlighting his exceptional contributions to the team.[231][232]David Wagner, former Huddersfield Town manager, praised Mooy for his technical ability and defensive qualities, highlighting the unusual playing style that made him stand out.[233]Pep Guardiola, renowned as one of the top coaches in world football, praised Mooy during his loan spell at Huddersfield Town, describing his performances as "amazing."[234] Even outside the world of football, Mooy gained recognition. Former adult film star
Mia Khalifa, a notable
West Ham fan, included Mooy in her top three favourite footballers alongside legends
Zinedine Zidane and
David Beckham.[235][236]
Mooy's accolades extend beyond club recognition. He was voted and named in Australia's Team of the Century, solidifying his status as one of the country's greatest-ever midfielders.[237] Former
Socceroo goalkeeper
Mark Bosnich hailed him as the best Australian midfielder playing anywhere in the world during his time at
Melbourne City. In addition, former Socceroos boss
Ange Postecoglou described Mooy as the best and most exciting player in the
A-League.[14][238]
Mooy's individual achievements are notable as well. He won the
PFA Men's Footballer of the Year award three times consecutively from 2015 to 2018, becoming the first player to achieve this feat and the first to win the award in three consecutive seasons.[239] His consistent performances and contributions to his teams did not go unnoticed. Mooy was recognized as the Melbourne City Player of the Year twice consecutively.[240] In his debut season for Huddersfield Town, he was named the club's Player of the Year after leading them to their historic promotion to the top flight.[241] In addition, he was nominated for 2017
Asian Footballer of the Year.[242]
Mooy's impact on Huddersfield Town was further evident in the fans' affection for him. They dedicated a song to Mooy, adapted from the nursery rhyme "Polly Wolly Dolly," sung to the tune of
Boney M's "Hooray! Hooray! It's a Holi-Holiday."[243][244]
Personal life
Family and relationships
During his early years, his mother, Sam, played an important role in Mooy's daily routine, driving him to and from training sessions since he didn't have a driver's license at the time. Sam describes Aaron as a "quiet soul" who prefers a low-key lifestyle, a characteristic she considers comes from his biological father. When he turned 21 during his time in
Scotland, Aaron opted for a meaningful celebration for his coming of age by requesting his 15-year-old brother, Alex, to join him rather than indulging in excessive drinking at a local pub.[245]
In terms of relationships, Aaron Mooy is married to Nicola Mooy, whom he first met in
Glasgow in 2011. They tied the knot in May 2017 in Glasgow, just before a play-off final match with
Huddersfield Town at
Wembley Stadium.[246] The couple has two children: a daughter named Skylar Mooy, born in 2015,[247] and a son named Maximilian Andrew Mooy, born in 2018.[248][249] The family faced challenges during their time in China when Aaron signed a lucrative deal with
Shanghai but couldn't have his family with him due to the
global pandemic.[250][251] Despite the difficulties, Aaron described the experience as a valuable life lesson and enjoyed playing alongside notable players in the team. Eventually, he negotiated his release from Shanghai and joined
Celtic in mid-2022, where he continued to make significant contributions on the field.[252] In honour of his daughter, Skylar, Aaron Mooy dedicated a celebration after scoring his fourth goal for Celtic, forming an "S" gesture, symbolizing her name.[253]
Aaron Mooy has a cousin,
Brodie Mooy, who is a retired professional footballer.[254] His uncle, Paul Cosgrove, is a senior constable police officer at
Quakers Hill and his father in law, Ian, is a lifelong Celtic supporter.[252][255] His brother Alex, who is six years younger than Mooy, played football in the
National Premier Leagues, which is one level below the
A-League. Aaron considered him his biggest fan as the two spent a lot of time together. Tragically, Alex passed away in June 2021.[256][257]
Heritage
Throughout his journey as a professional footballer, Aaron Mooy has chosen to honour his personal values and heritage through tattoos. At the age of 16, he had a
guardian angel tattooed on his shoulder, symbolizing the support he sought while being away from his family during his early days in
Bolton, England. The Dutch words "Leven, Lachen, Liefde" (Live, Love, Laugh) are also etched on his skin, representing his guiding principles.[258] The name "Mooy," which Aaron's grandfather Australianized from "Mooij" after immigrating from Holland to Australia, holds significant meaning to him, representing his connection to his family's roots.[245]
Aaron Mooy's mother, Sam, emphasizes the importance of their family history and Aaron's relationship with his
Dutch heritage. Although Aaron never met his Dutch grandfather, he deeply admires the man his mother describes. During his formative years, Aaron Mooy's stepfather, Alan Todd, played a pivotal role in his development as a footballer. Alan, a former
rugby league referee, provided guidance and taught Aaron to use both his left and right foot effectively from a young age. This foundation enabled Aaron to become an ambidextrous player, unable to be categorized as favouring one foot over the other.[245]
Career statistics
Club
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
^For FFA Cup round of 32:
"Mooy magic downs defiant Eagles". Melbourne City FC. 4 August 2015.
Archived from the original on 23 January 2018. Retrieved 23 January 2018.