Ever since Australia and New Zealand secured the 2023 Women’s World Cup hosting rights, there has been a flurry of Matildas signing with European clubs.
After Matildas’ captain Sam Kerr made the big move to Chelsea in the FA Women’s Super League last November, she has been joined by six of her current national teammates; with perhaps more to come.
London rivals Arsenal now boast three Australians in their ranks with Caitlin Foord, Steph Catley and Lydia Williams.
Hayley Raso has joined Everton, while Chloe Logarzo and Mackenzie Arnold have joined Bristol City and West Ham United respectively.
Perhaps the most significant recent signing was Ellie Carpenter’s move to French giants Olympique Lyonnais. Lyon are arguably the most successful women’s football team in the world, including some 14 league titles in the Division 1 Féminine and a record six UEFA Women’s Champions League titles. Make no mistake, this is huge news.
Equally important is the recent announcement by UEFA that they will allow each competing Champions League club to register six new players for the quarter finals onwards. This will open the door for Foord, Catley, Williams and Carpenter to play Champions League football when the competition resumes next month.
With so many Aussies carving out a space for themselves in the European football landscape, we thought we would put this handy list together.
Current Matildas Squad (Olympic Qualifiers, March 2020)
Goalkeepers
Mackenzie Arnold – West Ham United (FA WSL, England)
DOB: 25/2/1994 | Instagram
Tegan Micah – Arna-Bjørnar (Toppserien, Norway)
DOB: 20/10/1997 | Instagram
Lydia Williams – Arsenal (FA WSL, England)
DOB: 13/5/1988 | Instagram
Defenders
Ellie Carpenter – Olympique Lyonnais (Division 1 Féminine, France)
DOB: 28/4/2000 | Instagram
Steph Catley – Arsenal (FA WSL, England)
DOB: 26/1/1994 | Instagram
Alanna Kennedy – Orlando Pride (NWSL, USA)
DOB: 21/1/1995 | Instagram
Jenna McCormick – Real Betis Féminas (Primera Division, Spain)
DOB: 7/9/1994 | Instagram
Clare Polkinghorne – Avaldsnes IL (Toppserien, Norway)
DOB: 1/2/1989 | Instagram
Gema Simon – Newcastle Jets (W-League, Australia)
DOB: 19/7/90 | Instagram
Related – As One: why Australia and New Zealand’s 2023 World Cup bid matters
Midfielders
Katrina Gorry – Avaldsnes IL (Toppserien, Norway)
DOB: 13/8/1992 | Instagram
Elise Kellond-Knight – Kristianstads DFF (Damallsvenskan, Sweden)
DOB: 10/8/1990 | Instagram
*Kellond-Knight has recently suffered a season-ending ACL injury
Chloe Logarzo – Bristol City (FAWSL, England)
DOB: 22/12/1994 | Instagram
Aivi Luik – Melbourne City (W-League, Australia)
DOB: 18/3/1985 | Instagram
Karly Roestbakken – LSK Kvinner (Toppserien, Norway)
DOB: 17/1/2001 | Instagram
Tameka Yallop – Klepp IL (Toppserien, Norway)
DOB: 16/6/1991 | Instagram
Emily van Egmond – Orlando Pride (NWSL, USA)
DOB: 12/7/1993 | Instagram
Forwards
Caitlin Foord – Arsenal (FA WSL, England)
DOB: 11/11/1994 | Instagram
Emily Gielnik – Vittsjö GIK (Damallsvenskan, Sweden)
DOB: 13/5/1992 | Instagram
Sam Kerr – Chelsea (FA WSL, England)
DOB: 10/9/1993 | Instagram
Hayley Raso – Everton (FA WSL, England)
DOB: 5/9/1994 | Instagram
Kyah Simon – PSV Eindhoven (Eredivisie Vrouwen, Netherlands)
DOB: 25/6/1991 | Instagram
Related – Profiling By the White Line: photographer Rachel Bach
Other Aussies Abroad:
Angie Beard – KR Reykjavík (Úrvalsdeild Kvenna, Iceland)
Defender | DOB: 16/8/1997 | Instagram
Laura Brock (nee Alleway) – Guingamp (Division 1 Féminine, France)
Defender | DOB: 28/11/1989 | Instagram
Emma Checker – FC Fleury 91 (Division 1 Féminine, France)
Defender | 11/3/1996 | Instagram
Alex Chidiac – Atlético Madrid (Primera Division, Spain)
Midfielder | DOB: 15/1/1999 | Instagram
Aoife Colvill – Glasgow City (Scottish WPL)
Forward | DOB: 26/12/2000 | Instagram
Isabel Dalton – Napoli (Serie A, Italy)
Defender | DOB: 9/9/1997 | Twitter
Mary Fowler – Montpellier (Division 1 Féminine, France)
Forward | DOB: 14/2/2003 | Instagram
Jacynta Galabadaarachchi – West Ham United (FA WSL, England)
Forward | DOB: 6/6/2001 | Instagram
Alexandra Gummer – BSC Young Boys (Nationalliga A, Switzerland)
Defender | DOB: 10/9/1992 | Instagram
Amy Harrison – PSV Eindhoven (Eredivisie Vrouwen, Netherlands)
Midfielder | DOB: 21/4/1996 | Instagram
Laura Hughes – Throttur (Úrvalsdeild Kvenna, Iceland)
Midfielder | DOB: 6/6/2001 | Instagram
Ella Mastrantonio – Bristol City (FA WSL, England)
Midfielder | DOB: 22/1/1992 | Instagram
Nikola Orgill – Kolbtn (Toppserien, Norway)
Defender | DOB: 19/3/1993 | Instagram