Kasey Bos living the dream

As a youngster, Kasey Bos probably didn’t dream of ‘Weck, Worscht and Woi’ or ‘Handkäs’ mit Musik’. Like many football-loving kids from the continent between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, the Australian imagined one day becoming a professional footballer in Europe. And since joining Mainz 05, he’s already been introduced to local delicacies in a video from 05ER.tv. That experience won’t faze him because the move to Mainz means Bos is now living out his childhood dream: playing as a professional football in the Bundesliga.

The 21-year-old has come a long way in a short space of time. He made his professional debut for Melbourne Victory at the end of February 2024. Just 35 appearances, five goals and three assists later, he made the switch to Mainz. Bos also received his first call-up to the Australian national team during the most recent international break. It’s a lot to take in for a young man who’s not only adjusting to a new club, team and playing style in one of Europe’s top leagues, but also to life in a new city, on a continent more than 20 hours away by plane. But in his early weeks in Mainz, including Tuesday’s media round, the 1.80m tall left-footer appears to be handling it all calmly and with maturity. “I don’t know if I expected all of this, but I’ve worked hard,” said Bos. “I had the feeling things would move quickly, and then one thing led to another.”

Left-back with potential: “I can learn a lot from Phillipp”

Mainz 05 didn’t have to do much convincing to secure the talented Australian’s signature. “They didn’t really have to say much, the club is just fantastic,” said Bos, who watched a few Mainz games in more detail after initial contact. “Mainz had a great season last year. It was exciting to see.”

Sporting director Niko Bungert described Bos, who lists Lionel Messi and Arjen Robben as his idols, during the transfer announcement: “Kasey is a hard-running player on the left flank with strengths in both attack and defence. Additionally, his brave style of play was a strong fit for what we were looking for. He has already been able to prove his talents in the A-League. We believe that he has what it takes to make it in the Bundesliga and that he will be able to develop well when playing alongside a veteran player like Phillipp Mwene.” The club clearly has high hopes for the young defender – and Bos is eager to grow into a serious option behind the Austrian international. Even though he knows he’ll start out as Mwene’s understudy, he’s keen to learn: “From what I’ve seen so far in matches and in training, he’s a great player. I think I can learn a lot from Phillipp,” said the 21-year-old, who has already taken a few set pieces during friendlies – and looked dangerous doing so. He credits his technique to long hours in the garden back home: “My dad put up a goal in our yard. That’s where I trained, developed my own run-up and technique.”

“Much more intense and faster”

Back in Australia, Bos grew up watching plenty of European football on TV – especially the Premier League and Bundesliga, so Germany’s top division wasn’t completely unfamiliar when he arrived. “But there’s still a lot to learn. I like to study and watch things in my free time to catch up,” said Bos, who calls the move “definitely a big step forward. Everything here is much more intense and faster than what I was used to.”

What’s helped him settle in, though, is the family-like atmosphere at Mainz 05. “Everyone’s really welcoming, and I’ve got a great feeling being here.” Bos is currently still staying in a hotel with fellow newcomer Konstantin Schopp, who joined from Graz. The pair are exploring the city together – a city that feels very different to Melbourne. “Here it feels more like a village or a small town. But I really like that everything’s so close together. The sense of community is great – I’m enjoying it here,” stressed the Australian, who also holds a Dutch passport and can count on support from his extended family in Europe. said Bos, who also holds a Dutch passport and can count on support from his extended family in Europe. His father grew up in the Netherlands. “All of his family live there – they visit me sometimes. My uncle came last weekend.”

Brotherly rivalry in the national team

Bos isn’t the only footballer in the family. His brother Jordan Bos plays in Belgium for KVC Westerlo – just a three-and-a-half hour drive from Mainz. Jordan is also a left-back and has already earned 19 caps for Australia. The brothers are aiming to represent their country together at next year’s World Cup. Now that they’re both in Europe, they can meet more often. “I’m planning to visit him this weekend,” stated Bos. And next time Jordan comes to Mainz, perhaps Kasey will introduce him to some of the local culinary specialities.