Hume City FC is proud to announce the promotion of three academy players into the senior squad for the 2026 season.
Having enjoyed stellar seasons in the club’s youth teams in 2025, Anthony Yousif, Kaylin Acar and Barancem Kavak will be joining the senior side on a full-time basis.
All three players spent almost the majority of their junior careers at Nasiol Stadium, having started in the MiniRoos and working their way up the ladder to eventually secure the call-up with the senior side.
First joining Hume City FC when he was six-years-old in 2013, Acar’s quality was recognised in the nation’s top-level competition, having played for Western United’s Academy and been selected to play for Victoria during the 2022 and 2023 National Youth Championships.
Returning to Hume City at the end of last year, having proved himself against the state’s top-level junior talent, the midfielder managed to earn his senior debut this years with three appearances off the bench – his biggest match being part of the 4-0 win over St Albans where he played 20 minutes.
Like Acar, Kavak also debuted for the senior team in that season-ending match against St Albans, having had an impressive season in the Under-23s.
Kavak is a forward with the ability to run in behind, score goals and never gives the defenders chance to settle.
Of the three, Yousif has had the most rapid rise up the junior ranks, having started under current Head Coach Nick Hegarty back in his early youth days in 2017.
Since then, Anthony has excelled in every team he has played for and has shown no signs of intimidation despite regularly playing in older age groups.
Such is his raw quality, the rising star has skipped the Under-21s and Under-23s to go straight into the senior squad, having played for the Under-19s in 2025.
All three players have already begun training with the senior squad, as well as taking part in all the pre-season friendlies over the summer.
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Nick Hegarty
Hume City FC Senior Coach
“We are more than thrilled to bring Anthony, Kaylin and Barancem into the senior squad after the seasons they had in their respective junior teams,” Hegarty said.
“Bringing our own players through the Hume City system is the foundation of everything we do at Hume and always will do. We have been really successful at it, which is great.
“While they still have a little way to go to being fully ready National Premier League side regulars, I have no doubt they have the confidence and the ability to perform at the top level if called upon.
“All three players have shown glimpses of their raw talent and their abilities, so the future looks bright for the club and I am excited to see what these young guns have to offer.
“In breaking into the first team, these three boys have shown the is a clear pathway from our youth program to the NPL, and that with a little hard work and determination, any Hume City FC junior has the chance to play at the top level with the club.”
Kaylin Acar
Hume City Senior
“It feels good to be able to play for the seniors of the club I have spent majority of my junior career at, and I feel really blessed for the opportunity,” Acar said.
“When I was first told of the news, I was over the moon. Now that it has sunk in, I am grateful to Hegs for having the belief that I can contribute to the senior team.”
“I want to do as much as I can for the team this season. Any opportunities I get, I want to take and repay the coaches for their faith in my ability.”
Barancem Kavak
Hume City Senior
“It honestly feels amazing. It’s a really good opportunity to show my family, my friends, everyone that I can play at the top level in Victoria,” Kavak said.
“There have been lots of ups and downs in my career so far, but right now, the door’s open for me and I just want to prove to everyone that I can do it and not look back at this time in the future and have regrets.
“It’s an amazing opportunity and I am thankful for the club for giving me the chance to prove myself, so I am looking forward to next year and soaking up as much as I can.”
Anthony Yousif
Hume City Senior
“It feels pretty good. I’ve been here for a long time, I’ve worked hard and now I am in a position to prove myself to play in the senior team which is awesome,” Yousif said.
“Going straight from the Under-19s is great for my confidence. Obviously the coaching staff have seen something in me that they feel I can compete at this level and I’m worthy enough to play in seniors.
“Hopefully I am ready to make this step. I just need to train hard, get stronger physically and it should be good. Honestly, I want to achieve everything possible and I know the debut, the goals and everything will eventually come, but for now, I want the team to win the league and I’ll do whatever I can to help with that goal.”