New Zealand international striker Grace Jale, former Adelaide United defender Grace Taranto and midfielder Rebecca Burrows have signed for Canberra United for the 2022/2023 Liberty A-League campaign.
Jale has committed to the club from the National Capital for the next two seasons having impressed for Wellington Phoenix in their debut season in the competition.
The classy forward was a standout in the Phoenix side that suited up in the Liberty A-League during the 2021/22 season, scoring half-a-dozen goals in twelve matches, and showcasing her exquisite touch and technique throughout.
Jale made her senior international debut during the 2018 OFC Women’s Nations Cup against Tonga, marking the occasion with her first goal at that level and added a second to her tally three days later in the win over the Cook Islands.
Most recently she was part of the Football Ferns squad that played Wales and Norway in friendlies and made an appearance against the Matildas in Canberra. Previously, Jale was a regular member of the New Zealand U20 side and represented her country at U17 level.
“We are thrilled that Grace has decided to continue her burgeoning football career by joining us here at Canberra United,” Head Coach Njegosh Popovich commented.
“I saw a lot of Grace last season and I was impressed by the quality of her game. Her technique is first class, she is a physical athlete and has a tremendous understanding and reading of the game for a young player.”
Grace Taranto has joined from Adelaide United where she made two substitute appearances in 2021/22 against Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory.
Taranto has spent six seasons playing in Victoria, latterly for South Melbourne, making 47 appearances and scoring eight goals including a hat-trick against Southern United in a 7-0 success in 2019.
The defender also enjoyed a short stint with Bulleen Lions and is a product of the Victorian National Training Centre having also played for Australia at age-grade level.
Meanwhile, Dynamic midfielder Rebecca Burrows will be given her first chance at this level having impressed playing in the Victorian National Premier League for Heidelberg United alongside Jale.
Burrows previously played in her native New Zealand with Eastern Suburbs before making the trip across the Tasman for the 2022 Victoria NPL season and has represented her country at under-17 and under-20.
“I am really pleased that both Grace and Rebecca have agreed to join Canberra United, and I am looking forward to working with them both,” Popovich said of the newcomers.
“I am confident that they will fit in with the style of football that we are aiming to play at the club and will thrive in the Canberra environment. The United fans can look forward to seeing two highly-committed, technical players who are ready to make their mark at this level.”
PLAYER PROFILES
Name: Grace Jale
Date of Birth: 10/04/1999
Place of Birth: Auckland, New Zealand
Former Clubs: Wake Forest Demon Deacons, Heidelberg United, Wellington Phoenix
International: New Zealand U17, New Zealand U20, New Zealand
A-League Appearances: 12
A-League Goals: 6
Name: Grace Taranto
Date of Birth: 29/04/2003
Place of Birth: Malvern, VIC
Former Clubs: Adelaide United, Football Victoria NTC, Bulleen Lions, South Melbourne
International: Australia U16
A-League Appearances: 2
A-League Goals: 0
Name: Rebecca Burrows
Date of Birth: 29/08/1994
Place of Birth: New Zealand
Former Clubs: Three Kings United, Eastern Suburbs (New Zealand), Auckland United, Glenfield Rovers, Metro FC, Ellerslie FC, Heidelberg United
International: New Zealand U17, New Zealand U20
A-League Appearances: 0
A-League Goals: 0
