American star Simone Charley is officially the third international player to #GoGreen and sign with Canberra United for the 2019/20 Westfield W-League season.
Charley arrives in Australia straight from the recent National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season, and joins Canberra United’s squad on a one-season loan agreement from the Portland Thorns.
The 24-year-old forward was a college soccer star with the University of Vanderbilt, finishing with 25 goals and 18 assists across her career.
While still at University, Charley earned selection to the United States U23 Women’s National Team in 2017, before being picked up by the Portland Thorns in 2018.
The young American says the experience of playing in the NWSL has her primed for a big debut season in the Westfield W-League.
“I’m super excited to be with Canberra United, just to have this wonderful opportunity to play soccer in a whole new atmosphere is really exciting,” Charley said.
“The NWSL gave me the opportunity to learn a lot from some of the best players in the world.
“Just the knowledge and experience I’ve gained from there is something I believe I can build off of while in Australia.”
Having added the likes of Leena Khamis and Katie Stengel to her forward line in recent days, Canberra United Head Coach Heather Garriock says Charley will provide a further boost to the squad up front.
“I’m absolutely delighted that Simone has signed with Canberra United this season,” Garriock said.
“She joins us from one of the biggest clubs in the NWSL, she’s incredibly quick up top and she’ll be a huge threat alongside our other players in attack.”
Charley joins fellow American Stengel and Norwegian Elise Thorsnes as the international players currently on Canberra United’s roster for the 2019/20 Westfield W-League season.
If you want to #GoGreen with our overseas contingent, Season 12 memberships are now on sale to the public on the Canberra United website. Be sure to sign up in time for our Round One clash with Perth Glory at McKellar Park on Sunday, 17th November.
Canberra United Squad |
Goalkeepers: Shamiran KHAMIS, Annalee GROVE
Defenders: Taren KING, Nikola ORGILL (c), Jessie RASSCHAERT
Midfielders: Karly ROESTBAKKEN, Olivia PRICE, Laura HUGHES
Forwards: Elise THORSNES, Hayley TAYLOR-YOUNG, Leena KHAMIS, Katie STENGEL, Simone CHARLEY
