Lucas Herrington has broken the transfer record paid for an Australian footballer after joining Premier League outfit Hull City from Colorado Rapids.
The 18-year-old has agreed to a five-year deal with the newly-promoted Tigers for an undisclosed fee, but believed to be in the region of £17 million (A$33 million) with add-ons, becoming the most expensive Aussie player ever.
Herrington is also Hull's second most lucrative acquisition in club history to date.
That sum surpassed the previous Aussie record, set when Leicester City outlaid £15 million, (A$26.3 million) to Stoke City for Harry Souttar's signature in 2023.
The deal is also the second-highest transfer received for an MLS club and the highest for the Rapids, who will additionally receive 15 per cent of any future sale of the Socceroos starlet.
Regarded as one of the country's most promising players, the CommBank Socceroo will achieve a lifelong dream of playing in England's top flight following an impressive FIFA World Cup™ 2026 and stint in the MLS.
A prodigious defender, Herrington became the youngest starter for the CommBank Socceroos at the FIFA World Cup™ against Paraguay and also played the entire Round of 32 clash against Egypt.
Possessing maturity beyond his years with an excellent reading of the game, Herrington has experienced a rapid ascent since emerging from Brisbane Roar's academy in 2024.
Indeed, 2026 has been quite the year for the Brisbane-born stopper. He officially joined Colorado in January, scored in just his second MLS game, earned a maiden national team call-up in March, made his senior debut in his first camp against Cameroon, ultimately selected in the FIFA World Cup™ squad and most recently started the MLS All-Star Game.
The teenager is the sixth Aussie to make a move following his exploits at the FIFA World Cup™ 2026 after Cammy Devlin (Rangers), Patrick Beach (Troyes), Paul Okon-Engstler (1. FC Köln), Awer Mabil (Melbourne City), and Ajdin Hrustic (Al-Nasr SC).
Herrington, who has six caps to his name, revealed his delight after signing with Hull.
Hull secured promotion to the Premier League via the EFL Championship playoffs, having finished last season sixth on the table. It will be the club's first appearance in the top division since the 2016/17 campaign.
The centre-back is the fifth acquisition of the summer for outspoken chairman Acun Ilıcalı, who is renowned for sharing his transfer dealings on social media.
Herrington follows in the footsteps of some recent Socceroos to have represented Hull including Jackson Irvine, Callum Elder, and Richard Garcia. He will also be the first Socceroo to appear in the competition since Cameron Burgess and Massimo Luongo for Ipswich Town in 2024/25.
Hull begin their Premier League at home against Manchester United on Saturday, 22 August at the MKM Stadium.