Canberra United can today confirm the signing of American forward Paige Nielsen for the Westfield W-League 2018/19 season.
The Suwon UDC WFC striker has previously played for the Western Sydney Wanderers, but linked up with Heather Garriock’s squad this week to begin her first stint in Green.
After arriving in Canberra, Nielsen was buzzing with excitement and expressed her desire to get started with her new team.
“I can’t wait to start a new journey with a team that has an enormous amount of potential,” she said.
“I have seen the training grounds and understood the playing mentality, and I acknowledge that we have some incredible fans that I can’t wait to be playing in front of.”
Nielsen arrives in Canberra with a strong reputation as a gun forward, and Head Coach Heather Garriock praised the quality that she will bring to the side.
“Paige is not only a great footballer skill-wise, but her leadership qualities and winning mentality will also be very valuable for our team,” Garriock said.
“Any player that comes out of UNC (University of North Carolina) and who has been coached by Anson Dorrence has been pushed to strive for excellence in every session, and the work ethic she brings will improve our squad on and off the field.”
Nielsen also referenced her past at UNC, comparing the style to that of United and admitting that factor was a drawcard in coming to play in green.
“After speaking to Heather, I knew her soccer brain and mindset matched mine as a player,” Nielsen said.
“I’ve seen videos of Heather playing and chatting to her it is clear she has the same mentality as my program at UNC did.
“She knows how to win, and I love playing the style of Football that Heather is using at United and it is what I am most comfortable with.”
Canberra United face off against the Newcastle Jets this weekend in round three of the Westfield W-League, kicking off at 7:30pm at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Canberra United Squad |
1. Melissa MAIZELS (GK), 2. Laura HUGHES, 3. Natasha PRIOR, 4. Rachel CORSIE, 5. Nikola ORGILL, 6. Refiloe JANE, 7. Aoife COLVILL, 8. Olivia PRICE, 9. Rhoda MULAUDZI, 10. Paige NIELSEN, 11. Denise O’SULLIVAN, 12. Lauren KEIR, 13. Meaghan MCELLIGOTT, 15. Rosaria GALEA, 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN, 17. Madelyn WHITTALL, 18. Taren KING, 19. Nickoletta FLANNERY, 20. Shamiran KHAMIS, 21. Ellie CARPENTER, 23. Maria JOSE ROJAS
