London calling as Steph Catley makes Arsenal move

Westfield Matildas vice-captain Steph Catley has signed with English giants Arsenal Women. 

The 26-year-old heads to the London club after another stellar season in the Westfield W-League, captaining Melbourne City to their fourth championship and second premiership. 


“This is something that I’ve been looking forward to for a long time,” Catley told Arsenal.com.  “Arsenal is a place where I’ve imagined myself playing for a long time too.

I’m so excited that it’s finally done. This will be my first taste of European football and obviously there’s so much to look forward to and so many big occasions to come. I can’t wait to get started.” 

Catley will have some familiar faces around the club as she links up with fellow Westfield Matilda Caitlin Foord and former Westfield W-League championship winning coach, Joe Montemurro. 

Montemurro has coached the full back on two separate occasions at Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory.  The FA WSL winning head coach is excited to be re-connecting with the fellow Melbournian once again.

“We’re privileged to have Steph at the club,” said Joe Montemurro. “She suits our fluidity and she’s very good in a positional sense, but more importantly she’s very effective going forwards. 

“We’re excited to have her as part of the squad and we’re looking forward to some exciting times together!”

Catley has been a stalwart of the Westfield Matildas since making her debut in 2012.  In the eight years since, the defender has made 82 appearances for the national team including at two FIFA Women’s World Cups and the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. 


At club level Catley has won five Westfield W-League Championships and two Westfield W-League premierships.  She has also played for the Portland Thorns, Orlando Pride and Reign FC in the American National Women’s Soccer League.