How many people would turn down the chance to set themselves up financially for life by multiplying their pay packet 20 times over?

Not many, but Socceroo midfielder Jackson Irvine – a player who some see as the closest thing Australia has to a potential successor to Tim Cahill –  is one.

Irvine put career development and potential future earnings ahead of the prospect of a bumper pay day in the Chinese Super League earlier this year when he knocked back an approach to quit  English Championship  strugglers Burton Albion for a guaranteed big money deal in Asia's most lucrative competition.

The 24-year-old, who grew up in the Melbourne  suburb of Lysterfield, decided that proving himself in one of the most arduous competitions in the football world and making his spell at Burton a springboard for a move to a bigger league in western Europe would help improve his game far more –  and enable him to become a regular starter in the national team.

"It was a very substantial offer – more like 20 times my current salary – and it came from a team in the Chinese Super League ... it came quite late in the January window," he recollects as he prepares for the Socceroos World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia on Thursday night in Adelaide.

"It's a complicated situation when you get that phone call. I rejected three offers from this club in the same window. 

"But it was nothing to do with my own personal pride ... I didn't view it as the right career move for me at this time.

"The season had gone the way it had with Burton, I was getting more involved with the national team. I have never been money motivated and I am fortunate enough to come from a background where that has never been of vital importance to me.

"Everyone's individual circumstances are different, but I didn't view it as the right move for myself. I have a dream to play at the highest level, whether its the EPL, the Bundesliga.

"It's not an easy decision, as you can probably imagine when you are faced with it, but it's probably the best 'worst' situation you could have."

He felt that his decision was vindicated over the next few months. Irvine was called up by Ange Postecoglou for the two World Cup qualifiers in March and scored his first goal for the national team in the win over the UAE in Sydney.

"What happened after that, coming into the Socceroos camp in March, starting both games, getting my first goal for Australia, being involved in keeping Burton up in The Championship, scoring that goal against Huddersfield  in the 97th minute putting us on a big step towards safety. It was all very much worth it for the experiences I had."

Irvine's ability to arrive late in the penalty area and get on the end of crosses and flick ons to score goals has evoked comparisons with the young Tim Cahill, who began as a box to box midfielder with lower league Millwall before getting a move to the Premier League and Everton.

His style has developed this season, with Burton manager Nigel Clough – who made him the club's record signing when he brought him in from Ross County – concentrating on developing his attacking instincts.

"At Ross County we played 4-4-2 and I was very much a box to boxer, up and down, but being involved with the build up play ...

"I had 12 assists last year and three goals, while this year I have had 11 goals and no assists ... it's shown that I have more emphasis on being a goal threat than being a provider, not as much involved in the play around the edge of the box."

Sharing a dressing room with Cahill is just another part of the learning experience for the thoughtful Irvine, who is eager to improve every aspect of his game.

"It is very similar to where Tim played at the height of his career. He was one of the best at those runs arriving late in the box so it's great to have a guy like that around to get advice from and try and help grow your game."

Irvine could be forgiven for coming into camp banged up and nursing injuries considering his workload this season, but he is raring to start if given the opportunity.

"I played 42 league games and two cup games and five internationals, so I played 49 games this year. My full focus is on the next few weeks here because this is going to be a huge month in the development of this team and a chance for us to make another marker in how we're moving forward and hopefully the results reflect that."