Caitlin Foord has finalised a move from Sydney FC to English Women’s Super League champions Arsenal.
The Westfield Matildas striker scored 33 goals in 104 Westfield W-League appearances during two stints with the Sky Blues and a spell at Perth Glory.
The 25-year-old celebrated winning her second Championship with Sydney FC in 2018/19 following her best goalscoring season of 10 goals in 14 matches.
Foord earned a Premiers Plate medal in her debut season, 2010/11, before becoming the youngest Australian to play at FIFA Women’s World Cup at the age of 16. She went on to lift her first Championship in the Harbour City in 2012/13.
After moving west, Foord helped Glory to the Premiership in 2014 and went on to spend a season in Japan with Mynavi Vegalta Sendai in 2017. The next chapter of her story begins in North London with the three-time champions of England.
“I’m sad to be leaving my girls at Sydney FC at this stage of the season but this is an unbelievable opportunity which is impossible to turn down,” the 77-cap Westfield Matilda told sydneyfc.com
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“Arsenal are one of the world’s biggest clubs and the challenge of playing in England at the highest level is going to provide me with the ultimate test at this stage of my career.
“I’ve had seven and a half wonderful seasons at Sydney FC and enjoyed a lot of success both personally and as a club.”
Foord is the latest Westfield Matilda snapped up by an English club and follows in the footsteps of Chelsea striker Sam Kerr, who made her WSL debut earlier this month.
Former Brisbane Roar attacker Hayley Raso has joined Everton and Foord’s teammate Hayley Raso has paired up with Bristol City.
Shellharbour native, Foord, will unite with the Gunners, and their former Westfield W-League coach Joe Montemurro, in February following the conclusion of the 2020 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
“Caitlin has been a fixture of Sydney FC since she was 16 years old and will go down as one of the club’s greats,” said Sydney FC coach Ante Juric.
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Upcoming Matches – Westfield Matildas
Westfield Matildas v Chinese Taipei
Date: Monday, 3 February 2020
Venue: Five Rings Sports Centre, Wuhan, China
Kick-off: 4.00pm (local); 7.00pm (AEDT)
Thailand v Westfield Matildas
Date: Thursday, 6 February 2020
Venue: Five Rings Sports Centre, Wuhan, China
Kick-off: 4.00pm (local); 7.00pm (AEDT)
Westfield Matildas v China PR
Date: Sunday, 9 February 2020
Venue: Five Rings Sports Centre, Wuhan, China
Kick-off: 7.30pm (local); 10.30pm (AEDT)
Ticketing & broadcast information to be advised.
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