Canberra United are pleased to welcome back Emma Ilijoski for a third season with the Liberty A-League club, the talented defender signing a two-year deal to remain in green for the 2022/23 and 2023/24 campaigns.
A Young Matildas international, Ilijoski has been a regular selection at left-back since her debut with the club in Perth during the 2021 season and has racked up 22 appearances for the team since that first outing becoming a mainstay in the defensive line.
“It’s fantastic to be back with Canberra United for another season,” Ilijoski said of her re-signing for the club. “As a local, Canberra is my team, and I am thrilled to be back in green for two more years.
“There’s nothing quite like pulling on the green shirt in front of our loyal supporters and I am excited by the prospect of what the next two seasons will bring. We have a superb set-up at the club and the promise that we can achieve great things over the next campaign.
“I’m looking forward to working with Njegosh Popovich and his coaching staff and helping Canberra United achieve success. I am ready to give my all for the success of this team and can’t wait to get started.”
Ilijoski has made her way through the Canberra United pathway program having played for the Emerging United representative team before playing 21 times for the Canberra United Academy in the National Premier League competition, even managing to score a goal during the 2018 season.
Head Coach Njegosh Popovich is in no doubt about the quality that Ilijoski brings to the Canberra United line-up.
“Emma is a top class defender and adds solidity to our defensive work,” Popovich commented. “But it’s not just that which makes her a standout operator. Her ability to join in with the attack as an overlapping threat is well known.
“She reads the game well, is coachable, and is a popular member of the squad amongst our supporters. We are delighted she has agreed to commit her immediate future to the club, and we are looking forward to seeing her progress as a player and as person throughout the next two years.”
PLAYER PROFILE
Name: Emma Ilijoski
Date of Birth: 08/01/2003
Place of Birth: Canberra, ACT
Former Clubs: Emerging United, Canberra United Academy, Gungahlin United, Australia U17, Young Matildas
A-League Appearances: 22
A-League Goals: 0
Canberra United Academy Appearances: 21
Canberra United Academy Goals: 0
