Nicholas Bilokapic Explained

Nicholas Bilokapic
Birth Date:8 September 2002
Birth Place:Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia[1]
Height:[2]
Position:Goalkeeper
Currentclub:Peterborough United
Clubnumber:1
Youthyears1:2014–2019
Youthclubs1:Sydney United 58
Youthyears2:2020–2021
Youthclubs2:Huddersfield Town
Years1:2021–2023
Clubs1:Huddersfield Town
Caps1:6
Goals1:0
Years2:2022
Clubs2:Hartlepool United (loan)
Caps2:2
Goals2:0
Years3:2023–
Clubs3:Peterborough United
Caps3:28
Goals3:0
Nationalyears1:2019
Nationalteam1:Australia U17
Nationalcaps1:1
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2022–
Nationalteam2:Australia U23
Nationalcaps2:6
Nationalgoals2:0
Club-Update:20:41, 23 April 2024 (UTC)
Nationalteam-Update:27 March 2024

Nicholas Bilokapic (born 8 September 2002) is an Australian professional soccer player who plays for club Peterborough United as a goalkeeper.

Club career

Bilokapic began his career with Sydney United 58. He initially started as an outfielder with Sydney United 58 and first played as a goalkeeper at the relatively late age of 15.[3] Bilokapic moved to English club Huddersfield Town in 2020, where he made his senior debut on 8 January 2022 in the FA Cup in a 2–1 win against Burnley.[4] He moved on loan to Hartlepool United on 31 January for the remainder of the 2021–22 season.[5] [6]

Bilokapic transferred to Peterborough United in July 2023, for an undisclosed fee.[7] After making errors in a derby game, he was supported by Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson.[8]

On 4 November 2023, Bilokapic made two major errors in a first round FA Cup game at home against Salford that both resulted in goals. The game ended 2-2 and Ferguson expressed unhappiness with the goalkeeper, saying the mistakes had been "momentum killers".[9]

International career

On 6 September 2019, Bilokapic made his Australia under-17 debut in a 3–2 defeat against England under-18s. He was selected as part of the Australia squad for the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup, however Bilokapic failed to make an appearance at the tournament.

In March 2022, Bilokapic was called up for an U23 Talent Identification Camp for Australian players based in the United Kingdom and Europe.[10] He played for the U23 side that finished third in the 2023 Maurice Revello Tournament.[11]

Personal life

Nicholas is of Croatian heritage. He is the nephew of former Australian international Paul Bilokapic.[12] His father, Jerry Bilokapic, is currently the Head U16s coach for Western Sydney Wanderers[3] [13]

Career statistics

[14]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Huddersfield Town2020–21Championship00000000
2021–22Championship0010000010
2022–23Championship60100070
Total6020000080
Hartlepool United (loan)2021–22League Two20000020
Peterborough United2023–24League One280202010330
2024–25League One0000100010
Total280203010340
Career total360403010440

Honours

Peterborough United

2023–24[15]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Nicholas Bilokapic. Global Sports Archive.
  2. Web site: Nicholas Bilokapic . htafc.com.
  3. Web site: The Aussie young gun making waves at Huddersfield . beIN Sports . 24 February 2023 . 15 June 2023.
  4. Web site: Burnley dumped out of FA Cup by Championship high-flyers Huddersfield. uk.style.yahoo.com. 8 January 2022 .
  5. Web site: Huddersfield Town goalkeeper Nicholas Bilokapic heads out on Hartlepool loan. Steven. Chicken. 31 January 2022. YorkshireLive.
  6. News: Hartlepool sign goalkeeper Bilokapic. BBC Sport .
  7. Web site: Peterborough sign Huddersfield keeper Bilokapic. www.bbc.co.uk.
  8. Web site: Peterborough United boss is confident of a Bilokapic bounce back against Derby.
  9. Web site: Staff . KEEPUP . 4 November 2023 . Darren Ferguson annoyed as Peterborough face FA Cup replay at Salford . 6 November 2023 . KEEPUP . en-AU.
  10. Web site: UK & Europe-based Australians out to impress in Netherlands . socceroos.com.au. 23 March 2022 .
  11. Web site: Olyroos squad named for Maurice Revello Tournament. Socceroos. Football Australia. 15 May 2023.
  12. Web site: TRANSFER: 'KEEPER NICHOLAS BILOKAPIC JOINS ACADEMY . htafc.com.
  13. Web site: Under 16s . Western Sydney Wanderers . 15 June 2023.
  14. Web site: Australia – N. Bilokapic – Profile with news, career statistics and history – Soccerway. uk.soccerway.com.
  15. News: Peterborough United 2–1 Wycombe Wanderers . Chris . Harby . BBC Sport . 7 April 2024 . 7 April 2024.