Valued at close to $900k according to Transfermarkt estimations, Miloš Degenek is 32 games into an 18-month FK TSC Backa Topola contract that is due to expire at the end of the 2025/26 season.
His club career has taken him to Germany, the USA, Japan and Serbia, and along the way the star centre-back has fielded offers from various A-League clubs to return home to Australia for the first time since graduating from the FFA Centre of Excellence program as an 18-year-old in 2012.
"I've had opportunities recently," Degenek said of transfer offers from Australia prior to the Socceroos' 1-0 loss to Venezuela.
"When I moved from Red Star to another club in Serbia I had the opportunity to come to Australia.
"I just thought to myself I'd like to stay in Europe a little bit longer, test myself and see what happens."
One crucial factor for Degenek, and for many other overseas-based Socceroos weighing up offers to play in Australia, is the overall management of the A-League, which has come under fire in recent years for a reduction in trickle-down payments to clubs as well as salary caps.
"Down the road I'm open to it, as long as the league is run properly, as long as the league keeps growing," Degenek continued.
"Not just for my sake but for football in Australia and for kids who are 12, 13, 15, 18, that our game grows and attracts more.
"As you can see now, a lot of the Socceroos boys have come through the A-League, so it's a very very good league in terms of that. I'd like to see myself there eventually down the road."
The TSC defender will be 32 at the time of expiration of his current contract at TSC.
"When that time comes, I don't know. I'm sure my wife and kids would love to see Australia as well."
Degenek and his Australia teammates will play Colombia in an international friendly on Wednesday at midday AEDT and will go into the game as huge outsiders against their rank no. 13 opponents.
