Profile of Mathew Baker, Under 17 national team defender who joined Melbourne City

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesian Under-17 national team defender Mathew Baker has officially signed his first professional contract with Australian club, Melbourne City FC. The contract lasting three years, i.e. 2028, with the option to extend for two seasons was signed on Tuesday (7/30).

Through its official website, the club nicknamed City Blues expressed its pride in Baker’s achievements. The 16-year-old is considered the fifth talent to successfully secure a professional contract after studying at City Football School.

Profile of Matthew Baker

Mathew Ryan Sitorus Baker was born in Melbourne, Australia on May 13, 2009. He has mixed Australian-Indonesian blood, from an Australian father and an Indonesian mother.

With his current height of 176 centimeters, Baker is known as an ideal young defender who is calm when playing on the pitch. This character made him grow quickly and he received the call from a young age to strengthen the Indonesian national Under-17 team.

Career trip

Baker’s journey into football began when he joined the City Football Schools program. He joined Malvern City in 2016, before moving to Box Hill United (2019-2021). In 2021, he attended Melbourne City FC’s academy and appeared consistently in the Under-18 team.

His impressive performance ensured that Baker continued to develop, eventually landing his first professional contract.

Baker also made his debut for Melbourne’s senior team before earning a professional contract. Last July he was trusted to participate fully in the Australian Cup round of 32 against APIA Leichhardt, although Melbourne conceded with a score of 0-2.

In 2024, Baker, still 14 years old, answered the call to defend the red and white in the AFF U-16 Cup. In their debut match, Indonesia managed a 3-0 win over Singapore, before two more wins in the group stage and progressing to the semi-finals where Baker et al lost 3-5 to Australia.

However, Indonesia still managed to emerge as the third-ranked team in the tournament after beating Vietnam 5–0 in the third-place match.

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Baker was offered to defend Australia, but declined and chose to keep the Garuda symbol on his chest.

A year later, he received trust and steadily strengthened the Indonesian U-17 national team in the 2025 U-17 Asia Cup, which was also a qualifier for the U-17 World Cup. In this tournament, Baker appeared three times and helped Indonesia qualify for the quarterfinals, although they were eventually stopped by North Korea with a score of 0–6.

To date, Baker has made 12 appearances and scored one goal for the Under-16 and Under-17 national teams.

As well as being skilled as a left back, he is also capable of playing as a centre-back or defensive midfielder, making him a versatile player that the coach and team can rely on.

Promising talent

Melbourne City FC sporting director Michael Petrillo described Baker as a promising young talent and welcomed his commitment to the club.

Meanwhile, Baker expressed his pride in his success in signing a professional contract. He also thanked the parties who supported him and pledged to continue working hard for the trust placed in him.

With his track record and potential, Mathew Baker is one of the young names not to be underestimated in the future journey of Indonesian and Australian football.

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