In one day a vast number of internationals and big-name players have signed for a total of three different A-League Women clubs. Impetus’ Ben Gilby hears from some of the players concerned plus the views of Western United, Sydney FC, and Adelaide United (13/9/22).
Above: Chloe Logarzo – a marquee signing for Western United’s inaugural season. Graphic: Western United.
Logarzo Unveiled At Western United
Matildas star Chloe Logarzo will add world-class firepower to Western United’s inaugural Liberty A-League Women squad after signing on loan from Kansas City in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).
Capped 54 times by the Matildas, Logarzo has been a mainstay in the side since debuting in 2013 and recently made her return to the side after an ACL injury.
Logarzo has previously represented Colorado Pride in the United States and played in top divisions in Sweden, Norway, and England, where she lined up for Bristol City.
A two-time A-League Women Champion with Sydney FC, Logarzo returns to Australia for the first time in two years and is determined to make a difference in Green and Black.
“I am really excited to be returning to the A-League with a new club, new city, and a new challenge ahead of the World Cup,” she said.
“There is no better time to return home to the A-League than now, leading into the World Cup and with Western United, a new and ambitious Club.I feel incredibly confident that this is the correct decision for my return to playing.”
Western United Head Coach Mark Torcaso said Logarzo’s signature was a major coup. “Chloe’s game needs no explanation, she is a world-class talent and she will be huge for our group and for the league,” he said.
“I’m really excited and proud that we can give Chloe a platform to continue her return to the pitch ahead of the World Cup next year. She is the type of player that can change a game in an instant and I can’t wait to work with her and see her help us on the pitch, but also off the pitch with the knowledge she can share with our younger players.”
Western United Women’s Football Manager Amanda Stella said Logarzo’s capture proved United’s ambition heading into its inaugural season.
“Bringing in a player of Chloe’s calibre lays down a marker for us and shows the competition that we are here to compete,” she said.
“Chloe will get fans through the gates, she’ll get people off their seats and everyone in the West should be excited about coming to watch her play. In our inaugural season, Chloe’s leadership and standing in the game will help set the foundations for our culture and vision moving forward as a Club in the A-League Women.”
Logarzo will bring flair and experience at the highest level to the team and will add inspiration to the young players around her in the squad.
She will join up with her new teammates in pre-season training in early November ahead of the opening round in the A-League Women season, which begins from November 18.
Sydney FC Announce Stellar Squad
Sydney FC’s Championship winning Head Coach Ante Juric, Liberty A-League Captain Natalie Tobin and nine of the Sky Blues 2022 Premiership winning squad, including Matildas Princess Ibini, Mackenzie Hawkesby, and Rachel Lowe, will return to defend their title in season 2022-23.
The Sky Blues have also recruited five Young Matildas who were part of Australia’s squad at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup last month, plus several other new faces.
Coach Juric is back for a sixth consecutive season having guided Sydney FC to each of the past five Grand Finals, winning one and securing two Premierships along the way.
Tobin will Captain the squad for a second year in her 10th season in Sky Blue and is joined by recent Matildas representative Ibini in her eighth season as the club returns to the new Allianz Stadium.
Sydney FC Player Of The Year Hawkesby and A-League Women’s Goal Of The Season Winner Lowe return for another season after last year’s heroics earned them call-ups to the Matildas squad to face Spain and Portugal in June.
Young Matildas Sarah Hunter and Charlie Rule are joined by their Under 20 World Cup team-mates defender Kirsty Fenton, midfielder Abbey Lemon and forward Jynaya Dos Santos.
Double Premiership winning and ever-present defender Charlotte Mclean returns for a third season in Sky Blue and is joined in defence by Perth Glory left-back Deborah Anne De La Harpe.
Goalkeeper Katie Offer will again challenge for the number one position while Junior Matildas’ Captain Shay Hollman, who won player of the tournament at the AFF U18 Women’s Championship, and fellow Junior Matilda Mary Stanic-Floody are promoted from scholarship to full-time contracts.
Indiana Dos Stantos and Anika Stajcic, daughter of Sydney FC Hall Of Famer and former Women’s Head Coach Alen Stajcic, are new additions on scholarship contracts.
Head Coach Ante Juric is already happy with the balance of youth and experience.
“I’m delighted with the players we have signed so far and we’ll be adding some more quality in the coming weeks which I believe will give us a great chance at silverware again.
“We’ve managed to keep the core of our successful team from the past two seasons and are in talks with a number of others to return. The new players are fantastic additions and will bring more youth and exuberance to our play which I’m excited to see.”
Captain Natalie Tobin, who made her Sky Blue debut in the W-League Grand Final in 2013, is looking forward to another memorable year.
“I can’t believe this will be my 10th season at Sydney FC,” said the 25-year-old.
“It’s been an incredible journey for me and the past few years, in particular, have been extremely special. We’ve had success and I’m thrilled to see the core of that group staying together this season. I’m also excited to welcome and watch our new additions in action.
“We’ve recruited some fantastic young players and it all bodes well for a really great year.”
Sydney FC expect to make further signing announcements in the build-up to the season in mid-November with Liberty A-League fixtures likely to be revealed later this week.
Jenna McCormick Is Back For Adelaide
Adelaide United is delighted to announce the return of experienced centre-back, Jenna McCormick, her third stint with the Club after signing a one-year contract.
The 27-year-old began her career with the Reds, playing 26 matches between 2012 and 2015 before returning for the 2017/18 campaign.
In 2019, McCormick made her Matildas debut against Chile and currently has four caps for her country.
The defender has plied her trade overseas in Iceland, Norway, Spain, and Denmark with Stjarnan, Medkila, Real Betis, and Aarhus Gymnastik Forening (AGF) respectively.
McCormick has also represented Canberra United, Brisbane Roar, Melbourne Victory, and Melbourne City in the Liberty A-League, amassing a total of 96 games in the competition.
Speaking on her decision to re-join the Club, the 2013/14 Dianne Alagich Medallist, said: “I’m really excited to be back in my home state playing for Adelaide United, the club where my career started.
“This team has become extremely competitive over the last few seasons and you can see a real togetherness within the squad, which is something I’m looking forward to being part of. Adrian (Stenta) is an excellent coach who encourages an attractive style of football, and I believe we have a great squad that can seriously challenge for the title this season.”
Adelaide United’s Liberty A-League Head Coach, Adrian Stenta, said: “We’re really thrilled to have signed a player with a lot of pedigree like Jenna.
“You only have to look at her resume to see she possesses plenty of experience, having represented her country, played in Europe, and spent almost a decade in this league. Her signing definitely strengthens our defence and I’m very pleased with how the squad is coming together.”
Across her two spells with Adelaide, McCormick accumulated 38 appearances, scoring one goal.
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