Demi Koulizakis and Sally James have signed with Canberra United for the 2020/21 Westfield W-League season.
Demi Koulizakis joins United for her third season in the Westfield W-League after two seasons with the Western Sydney Wanderers in 2014/15 and 2015/16, where she made 13 appearances and scored one goal.
The 22-year-old has spent the past four years in the US with Texas Tech, before returning to the NSW NPLW with Sydney University as her side were crowned Premiers in 2020.
The striker said she was excited to be back in the Westfield W-League with her new club.
“I am excited to get started with a great bunch of girls and Vicki,” Koulizakis said. “I have heard a lot of great things about Canberra United and its professional environment. I am excited to get back in the Westfield W-League after four years in the US.”
Canberra United head coach Vicki Linton welcomed Koulizakis to Canberra United.
“Although Demi is still quite young, she comes to us as an experienced player, having a couple of seasons as a teenager in the W-League before spending some time in the US College system and most recently playing for Sydney Uni at NPL level,” Linton said.
“This should hold her in good stead as she joins Canberra United for the first time and I look forward to working with her and seeing how she combines and adds to the squad.”
Sally James returns to United after spending last season with the club on a scholarship. The 18-year-old goalkeeper, who spent 2020 with the Future Matildas program and the Illawarra Stingrays in the NSW NPLW, said she is ready to take on the next stage of her young career.
“Canberra is home so I am excited to back with United this season,” James said. “Last season was a great experience and I was extremely grateful to be provided with the opportunity to be a part of a Westfield W-League environment.
“I just want to put 100 percent into every training session and to do my best for the team and the club. I am honestly grateful to be back.”
Linton said James is an important addition to her squad.
“Sally has been making great progress this year and has been making the most of her opportunity to train in the Future Matildas program,” Linton said.
“It will be great to have her back in Canberra and I’m glad to sign her for this season.”
Canberra United Squad for 2020/21 Westfield W-League season:
Grace Maher, Laura Hughes, Rachael Goldstein, Lauren Keir, Hayley Taylor-Young, Nicki Flannery, Bianca Galic, Clare Hunt, Jessika Nash, Ashlie Crofts, Isabella Foletta, Demi Koulizakis and Sally James
