Socceroos legend Tim Cahill gets shattering news about his 19-year-old football star son Shae

The son of Socceroos legend Tim Cahill has been dealt a blow in his professional football career after he was released by A-League club Brisbane Roar.

Shae Cahill, 19, joined Ross Aloisi's squad last September last year on a multi-year deal from Everton - and high hopes were placed on the emerging midfielder.

'We are pleased to announce the signing of Shae Cahill from Everton's world-class academy,' Roar CEO Kaz Patafta said at the time.

'Securing such a promising young midfielder is a testament to our club's new vision of integrating youthful talent into our squad and first-team environment. 

'Shae's addition promises an exciting era ahead for the Roar family.'

But the youngster failed to regularly crack the starting XI - and this week was moved on, with the club confirming the news alongside other player departures.

It is understood Cahill had his contract terminated by mutual consent after spending the past few months playing mainly in the Roar's youth team.

His father Tim Cahill retired in 2019 as the Socceroos' leading goalscorer, with 50 goals in 108 appearances for the national side. 

Cahill also scored at three consecutive World Cups for Australia in 2010, 2014 and 2018.

To put that achievement into perspective, only four players have found the back of the net at four-straight World Cups: Brazilian superstar Pele, prolific German pair Uwe Seeler and Miroslav Klose plus Portuguese goal machine Cristiano Ronaldo.

Cahill, the attacking midfielder-turned-striker, was an instant success at Millwall in the Championship before securing a move to the Premier League with Everton in 2004 where he was a fan favourite.

At the twilight of his career, Cahill turned out for the likes of MLS side New York Red Bulls, Shanghai Shenhua in China and A-League glamour club Melbourne City before finishing up with Indian Super League side Jamshedpur FC.

He is now chief sports officer of Qatar's Aspire Academy, an institution with a vision of being the world's leading sports academy.