In October 2021, Joshua Cavallo, a relatively unknown young player from the Adelaide United club in Australia, caused a small earthquake in the world of football by publicly revealing his homosexuality.
He then became the first currently active professional footballer to come
out
, the first since Justin Fashanu in 1990, who has since tragically died.
Just under three years later, as he has become one of if not the leading figures against homophobia in the world of football, Joshua Cavallo's story continues to develop.
This Wednesday, he announced that he had become engaged to his partner, Leighton, after proposing on the lawn of Coopers Stadium, the stadium which hosts the Adelaide club.
Starting this year with my fiancée 💍❤️
Thank you @adelaideunited for helping set up this surprise.
You have provided a safe space in football, one that I never in my dreams thought could ever be possible.
To share this special moment on the pitch, where it all started ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/9ThwrN2Yol
— Josh Cavallo (@JoshuaCavallo) March 13, 2024
“I’m starting this year with my fiancé,” he shared on social media.
Thanks to Adelaide United for helping me organize this surprise.
You have provided a safe space in football, one that I never thought possible in my dreams.
I share this special moment on the pitch, where it all began.
»
In 2021, the club was one of the driving forces in sharing the story of Joshua Cavallo.
It was through a video posted on his club's social networks that the left-back came
out
.
“This club is very special, it is very close-knit, very family-oriented, it is very important to me and I think that is why I was able to make this announcement with them,” he told us in 2021.