The big news overnight from the latest batch of W-League signings is Canberra United announcing the retention of iconic league record goal scorer Michelle Heyman with Melbourne City adding New Zealand international Hannah Wilkinson. We hear from both players and head coaches.
Above: Michelle Heyman scoring for Canberra United in the W-League last season against Adelaide United. She’s back for more in 2021/22. Photo: Canberra Times.
Canberra United have announced that two-time Julie Dolan Medal winner Michelle Heyman has re-signed with the club for a tenth season ahead of the 2021/22 W-League season.
From her incredible return to the W-League, reclaiming the all-time league goal scoring record, playing her 100th game in green and helping Canberra United make finals, 2020/21 was a big season for Heyman.
To cap it all off, the striker was awarded the Julie Dolan Medal at the Dolan Warren Awards, as voted by a panel of technical football experts and media representatives.
With 73 goals to her name in the W-League, including 61 for Canberra United, Heyman will be looking to add more to her tally when the season commences in November.
Speaking about entering her tenth season with the club, Heyman said she’s counting down the days.
“I am so excited to announce that I am back in green for the 2021/22 W-League season,” Heyman said.
“I absolutely loved everything about last season and can’t wait to be back training and playing with the girls.
“I’m just so happy and grateful for another opportunity to represent Canberra, play in front of our amazing fans and push for another finals appearance.”
Canberra United Head Coach Vicki Linton was delighted to have Michelle back playing for Canberra.
“I really enjoyed seeing her come back to the game last year and do so well and I hope she enjoys another great season this year.”
Melbourne City add Football Fern Hannah Wilkinson:
New Zealand international Hannah Wilkinson has joined Melbourne City for the upcoming W-League season.
The 29-year-old striker made her 100th appearance for her country earlier this month in the Tokyo Olympics and has scored 26 goals for the national team.
Wilkinson is no stranger to the big stage, having represented New Zealand in the last two Women’s World Cups as well as the last three Olympics.
After attending college at the University of Tennessee, Wilkinson has had lots of experience playing abroad, spending time playing in Sweden, Portugal, and most recently Germany.
She joins from Bundesliga club MSV Duisburg and will bring a wealth of experience to City’s squad in season 2021/22.
Wilkinson is known for her aerial prowess and with her strong finishing instincts in front of goal, she’ll be looking to wreak havoc for defences all over the country this season.
W-League Head Coach Rado Vidosic said: “It’s exciting to have a player with a resume like Hannah’s join us for the upcoming season.
“She’ll be a goal-scoring threat in the final third for us and she has shown her quality in Europe and on the international stage plenty of times in recent years.
“Hannah will provide us with some crucial experience and leadership on the pitch and we expect her to complement our style of play well.
“We look forward to her arriving in Melbourne and joining us for pre-season.”
Explaining her move to Melbourne City, Hannah Wilkinson said: “The W-League has always caught my eye. It’s a very professional league and it’s great to see that on our side of the world, especially with how much women’s football is developing.
“Melbourne City is a big name and I’ve heard fantastic things about the Club. Melbourne sounds like an incredible place to live and I’m just so excited to meet all the girls. I can’t wait to get to work and help create some new memories for our fans.”
impetusfootball.org 