Federici Adam life and biography

Adam Jay Federici (born 31 January 1985) is an Australian football (soccer) player who plays as a goalkeeper for Football League Championship club Reading and has featured in the Australian national team squad.

Career

Federici started his career in Huskisson Soccer Club, south-east of Nowra, before making the move at 17 to England to pursue a dream to play in Europe. Prior to his move to the Madejski Stadium, Federici played for Wolverhampton Wanderers, Bolton Wanderers and Leeds United on a trial basis. He signed for Reading in September 2005 on non-contract terms, and was quickly loaned out to Maidenhead. Bizarrely, during his time at Maidenhead, Adam fell down a well while returing home from a nightclub with teammates. After peering over to look inside, he lost balance and toppled in. Adam sustained a broken ankle, wrist, and severe bruising around the hips. After initially worrying he might never play professional football again, a relatively swift recovery was made, and he was able to be loaned out to Northwood the following season. He spent the second half of the 2005–06 season on loan at Carshalton Athletic. Federici signed his first professional contract for Reading in the summer of 2006, and in a subsequent pre-season friendly match on 15 July, scored the only goal of the game against Bromley, having been played as a makeshift striker. He joined Bristol City on a loan deal on 29 August 2006, but was recalled on 27 October without making a first team appearance.

On 12 March 2007, Federici signed a two year contract with Reading to keep him at the club until the end of the 2008–09 season. On 17 February 2007 a "second string" Reading side unexpectedly drew 1-1 with Manchester United during an FA Cup 5th Round tie at Old Trafford, with the young Aussie keeper making some fine saves in a memorable game for the club. For this performance, he was named the FA Cup "Player of the Round" for the 5th Round. However, in the replay on 27 February, Federici had a night to generally forget as Reading conceded three goals in the first six minutes.

Federici made his league debut in Reading's 1-0 defeat away to Tottenham Hotspur on 1 April 2007, where he came on as a substitute at half time due to a hip injury to first choice 'keeper Marcus Hahnemann. Federici again featured as a half time substitute during a 3-3 draw at Blackburn Rovers after Marcus Hahnemann had injured his hand.

Federici joined League One side Southend United on a month's loan on 25 September 2008, making his debut in a 3–0 victory over Leyton Orient the following day. The loan was extended for a further month in October, the keeper eventually returning to Reading after making 10 appearances for Southend.

In December, shortly after returning from his loan spell, Federici signed a contract extension, keeping him with the club until the summer of 2011. During December, Federici also started a run of first team appearances for Reading, due to a calf injury sustained by long time first-choice stopper Marcus Hahnemann against Blackpool, keeping the American goalkeeper out for several weeks. After coming on as a late substitute in that game, Federici went on to make his full league debut between the posts against Norwich City, drawing praise from manager Steve Coppell for his performance. On 26 December 2008, Federici scored a 96th minute goal from a rebound after Michael Duberry had a header cleared off the line from a Stephen Hunt corner, to give Reading a late equaliser in their 1-1 draw against Cardiff City.

For the new 2009-10 season Federici was given the Number 1 jersey after Marcus Hahnemann was released. Adam produced "two of the best saves" of his career in the Championship match against Swansea F.C. on the 18th August 2009, saving a penalty and two close range shots in a match which Reading drew 0-0. Federici was recently linked with a move to Liverpool during the summer transfer season. After continuing to impress through to the new year, Federici has since been linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur.


Federici played for the Australia U20 team, the 'Young Socceroos', in the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship. He was invited to a training session with the senior Australia squad on 29 January 2007 prior to their friendly against Denmark in London, and then received his first full call up to the senior team for their match against Uruguay on 2 June 2007. Federici was also selected to play for Australia at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, producing three brilliant matches that had many praising him as the goalkeeper of the tournament.

In a bizarre turn of events, Adam Federici has been approached by Marcelo Lippi about playing for Italy at the 2010 World Cup.

Career statistics

2004-05 Reading
2004-05 Maidenhead United
2005-06 Northwood
2005-06 Carshalton Athletic
2006-07 Bristol City
2006-08 Reading
2008-09 Southend United
2008-09 Reading
2009-10 Reading

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