Daniel De Silva

Daniel Peter De Silva (born 6 March 1997) is an Australian professional soccer player who currently plays as an attacking midfielder for Macarthur FC in the A-League.

Born in Perth, De Silva commenced his professional career for Perth Glory in the A-League before joining Roda JC in 2015.

Club career

Perth Glory

On 22 February 2013, Daniel De Silva signed professional youth contract for Perth Glory. De Silva chose to sign for Perth after a deal with English Premier League side Everton fell through due to complications obtaining a visa. On 2 March 2013, De Silva made his professional debut for Perth Glory aged 15, in the 2–1 home victory against Sydney FC. De Silva came on as a 62nd-minute substitute for Matías Córdoba, making him the second youngest player in A-league history. On 29 October 2014, he scored his first senior goal in the FFA Cup Quarter Final against Melbourne Victory in the first period of extra time.

AS Roma

On 13 June 2014, Serie A side Roma announced that De Silva would join them at the conclusion of the 2014–15 A-League season for an undisclosed fee, rumoured to be A$2.5m. The transfer was cancelled in August 2015 after Perth Glory did not receive the first installment of the agreed transfer fee.

Roda JC

On 26 August, Perth Glory announced that De Silva had joined Roda JC on a two-year loan deal.

In January 2017, De Silva's loan was cut short six months early.

Central Coast Mariners

De Silva joined A-League side Central Coast Mariners in July 2017 on a three-year contract. Daniel De Silva made his first competitive debut for the Mariners in the FFA Cup against Blacktown City, coming on as a substitute in the 86th minute.

Sydney FC

De Silva spent a year on loan at Sydney FC. He frequently came on as a sub.

Macarthur FC

De Silva joined new A-League Men side Macarthur FC in July 2021 on a two-year contract. He left Macarthur at the expiry of his contract in June 2023 to pursue overseas opportunities. However, he re-joined Macarthur in July 2023 after a brief period as a free agent, following further discussions with Macarthur coach Mile Sterjovski. Once again, at the conclusion of that season, De Silva left Macarthur at the expiry of his contract, and then after 3 months as a free agent re-joined the club once again. This was the second off-season in a row that De Silva was released by the club to seek other opportunities, only to re-join the club.

International career

De Silva scored his first goal for the Australia U20s in a man of the match performance against Colombia during the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup in a 1–1 draw.

De Silva was also included in Ange Postecoglou's initial 43-man squad for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup.