With the highly competitive 2022 NPLW season now firmly in the rear-view mirror, Clubs in Victoria’s top tier have been actively shuffling their squads in search of improvement ahead of the fresh campaign. Football Victoria recaps all the player signings announced by Clubs.
While Clubs have been announcing signings since the completion of last season, the first registration window where players can officially move clubs started on Tuesday, December 20, 2022, and ended on Monday, January 9.
A second registration window for the NPLW will open on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, and end on Thursday, May 18, 2023.
ALAMEIN FC
- Rebecca Saber (Ringwood)
Saber arrives at Alamein on the back of scoring 30 goals last season in Ringwood's title-winning State League 1 campaign.
The striker brings extensive NPL and VPL experience and is a welcome addition to the Alamein front line.
- Chinatsu Shidara (AS Harima Albion)
The Japanese recruit will provide experience to the defensive unit this season, having played in J1 and J2 for many seasons.
- Jorja Thomas (Casey Comets)
Experienced defender Jorja Thomas is set to add years of experience to the Alamein backline next season.
Thomas arrives from Casey Comets, having proved herself as one of the most reliable defenders in the VPLW.
- Molly Burke (Casey Comets)
Burke comes to Alamein from Casey Comets, having established herself as one of the most prolific midfielders in the VPLW. With experience representing Victoria and the Australian Schools squad, Molly adds plenty of technical talent to the Alamein midfield.
OUTS:
- Betti Michael (South Melbourne), Cicily Paraskevas (Box Hill), Eley Gaganis (Southern United), Maia Heysen (Calder United), Maddy Rakic (Bayside)
BAYSIDE UNITED FC
INS:
- Zoe Haratsis (South Melbourne)
Haratsis brings a never give up attitude and a wealth of championship experience during her junior years at South Melbourne FC. The young defender is raring to go following an ankle injury that sidelined her for chunks of last season.
- Renee Sofronidis (Box Hill)
The young midfielder brings a high work ethic and determination to everything she does and the club can't wait to see her take the field.
- Caitlin Storay (Alamein)
Storay is a well-known WNPL Victoria midfielder who moved from Tasmania in 2018, leaving her mark with 87 league appearances thus far.
- Olivia Bomford (Canberra)
The 21-year-old Tassie-born attacker brings a wealth of talent after scoring 15 goals in 25 games while playing in the WNPL Capital Football league last season!
- Kayla Deaver (Kansas Wesleyan University Athletics)
Bayside has strengthened its attack ahead of the upcoming season after securing three-time First Team All-Kansas Conference striker Kayla Deaver. She was ranked sixth in the NAIA for goals last season with 26 goals and set a KWU single-match record with six goals against Bethany on October 12.
- Miwa Sasaki (Nojima Stella)
27-year-old Japanese international Miwa Sasaki will also add some experience to Bayside in 2023. She played twice for her old side, scoring on both occasions.
- Maddy Rakic (Alamein)
The young midfielder is looking to make the jump to senior football this season after crossing from Alamein's U19s.
- Lauren Antonella (Casey Comets)
After scoring four goals in the VPLW last season, Antonella will look to continue to hit the scoreboard in her new Bayside colours this season.
BOROONDARA EAGLES
- Keuera Okino ( Iga FC Kunoischi-Mie)
The Japanese forward arrives at the Eagles following two successful seasons in Nadeshiko League Division 1 where she became renowned for her speed, physical strength, and attacking craft.
- Cassie Carmen (South Melbourne)
Carmen is a reliable defender who is confident with the ball at her feet. Versatile across the backline, she also plays as a wing-back.
- Ella Cashin (La Trobe Uni SC)
Head coach John Kyrgios claimed the defender is a “vibrant young footballer” who enjoys to play out from the back.
“She can pass a ball and can position herself well to receive the outlet passes,” he said.
“We expect great things from Ella because she has shown great things over the pre-season.”
- Georgia Koutrouvelis (Box Hill)
- Anthea Vardakas (Box Hill)
Koutrouvelis and Vardakas are very experienced players who were a part of the ‘invincible’ Box Hill side in the early 2000s. Once fully fit the duo will add plenty to the squad.
- Christie Merry (Geelong Galaxy)
Merry was signed by the Eagles as a wing-back and will help out with the side's wide play.
“She fits into our culture, very bubbly and athletic.”
- Irene Paracki (Moreland Zebras)
The hard-working striker who has had senior experience at Box Hill will look to make her mark at Boroondara in 2023.
- Mawa Sumaoro (Adelaide City)
Sumaoro is a powerful finisher who is very spatially aware and will be a major asset for the Eagles this season.
- Emily Sutcliffe (Geelong Galaxy)
The midfielder is a fit and professional player who can strike a ball very well.
- Arina Takunuga (Eastern Suburbs QLD)
Takunuga is set to give the Eagles coverage in the wide areas while also providing an option down back. She has an amazing engine and possesses eye-catching speed.
BOX HILL UNITED
- Cicily Paraskevas (Alamein)
Having spent last season with Alamein, Paraskevas returns home where she played her junior football and will be a welcome addition to the backline.
- Sienna Techera (FV Emerging)
After plying her trade with FV Emerging, Techera also returns to her youth club for the 2023 NPLW season.
- Kanna Moriya
Box Hill has signed Japanese international Kanna Moriya. The classy forward made her debut in the J League 16 in 2015 and has since gone on to represent Okayama Yunogo Belle, South Korea's Changnyeong WFC and Ange Violet Hiroshima.
- Asuka Doi
With their second international spot, Box Hill has signed Japanese striker Asuka Doi from Bunny's Kyoto SC.
OUTS:
- Renee Sofronidis (Bayside), Anthea Vardakas (Boroondara Eagles), Georgia Koutrouvelis (Boroondara Eagles)
FC BULLEEN LIONS
- Jessica Young (South Melbourne)
The young midfielder is a capable threat in the final third and will add depth and quality to Bulleen's side.
- Katie Beck (Catawba College)
Beck started all 22 of Catawba's matches in 2022 and netted four goals and had two assists for 10 points. Of her four goals, three were game-winners, including scoring the opening goal in Catawba's 2-0 win over Wingate in the first round of the NCAA Women's Soccer Championship.
OUTS:
CALDER UNITED SC
- Larissa Walsh (Perth Red Stars FC)
After 10 years playing in the NPLW in Perth, Walsh has moved to Melbourne and Calder United FC seeking a new challenge. Last season her side Perth Red Star went undefeated and Walsh claimed many accolades such as player of the year and the golden boot.
- Maia Heysen (Alamein)
The talented defender re-joins Calder after a promising season at Alamein FC and will bring class to the backline in the absence of many A-League stars.
- Bella Sewards (FV Emerging)
The promising midfielder is ready for a new challenge is has been a train-on player at Western United over the past season.
- Alexis Mitchell (Launceston United SC)
The classy midfielder spent last season dominating in the WSL in Tasmania for Launceston United SC, where she was judged best on the ground in the Statewide Cup final. Mitchell also has experience in her homeland of the USA in the NWSL league.
- Lucy Richards (FV Emerging)
A natural leader, the former FV Emerging captain is a young star of the NPLW who has shown plenty of potential in her career to date.
OUTS:
- Natalie Grima (Preston Lions), Belinda Stojcevski (Preston Lions)
FV EMERGING
FV Emerging has yet to announce any signings for the 2023 season
OUTS:
- Leia Varley (South Melbourne), Sienna Techera (Box Hill), Lucy Richards (Calder United), Bella Sewards (Calder United)
HEIDELBERG UNITED
Heidelberg has yet to announce any signings for the 2023 season
OUTS:
- Danielle Wise (South Melbourne), Deana Kotsabas (Preston Lions)
PRESTON LIONS
INS:
- Paula Mitchell (Wagga Wagga)
Paula Mitchel is set to add some flair-up forward for Preston, signing for the 2023 season.
She is a fast-paced attacking left winger that runs to the final whistle with an innate instinct for goal.
Preston coach Dan Foden explained she had shown similar traits to golden boot winner Rachel Stirton.
"I am excited to see how she goes," he said
"She is good on both feet, she is quick, and is a very powerful athlete.
She comes from a good standard and has high expectations for herself, I think she could be a really good get for us if she settles in,"
- Eleanor Jones (Canberra Olympic)
Jones is a strong utility playmaker with experience that will strengthen the women’s side throughout 2023.
Dan Foden said Jones looks to be an "absolutely super pick-up" for the Lions.
"She really surprised me with how good she is, she isn't particularly tall but she has a massive engine and works really hard, happy to put her body on the line," he said.
- Natalie Grima (Calder United)
Grima is a defensive utility that will certainly make an impact at Preston in 2023.
"She is a right-sided defender and has been training with the senior group at Calder so she comes from good standards," Foden said.
- Belinda Stojcevski (Calder United)
Athletic defender Belinda Stojcevski joins the Lions from Calder United following a stint in the US college system.
Stojcevski said, “my family have have always supported Preston, this is an exciting opportunity for me to wear the jersey with pride."
- Deana Kotsabas (Heidelberg United)
Attacking threat Deana Kotsabas joins Preston after representing Heidelberg in season 2022.
"She is a young player who came from Heidelberg and I am looking to play her as a left wing-back," Foden said.
"She is technically very good but she is very young so she needs some time could be a very good player for us."
SOUTHERN UNITED
INS:
- Sarah Johnston
Johnston brings extensive experience to the club, playing at the highest level in NSW and Canberra since age 13. She most recently plied her trade in the NPL NSW - Illawarra Stingrays and NPL Canberra - Canberra Olympic.
- Izzy Coppel (Edinburgh University Women's Football Club)
Coppel joins the club after a successful stint in the United Kingdom, where she spent most of her time in the Northern Ireland U19 International squad, Edinburgh University Club, and Leicester City.
- Yuka Sato
Sato is an experienced midfielder and has been playing at high level competitions in Japan since 2013, most recently in Division 1 and Division 2. Her agility and speed will be a massive strength for United moving forward.
- Eley Gaganis (Alamein)
Gaganis came through the JPL and NPL leagues in Victoria and has also enjoyed success off the field as an assistant coach in the junior environment for the 2022 season.
- Sophia Varga (Mazenod FC)
Varga is an impactful striker and midfielder who will bring speed and strength to Southern's squad. She comes to Southern United after four successful years with Mazenod FC and many years of involvement in community football as a player and junior environment coach.
OUTS:
SOUTH MELBOURNE
INS:
- Tayla Christensen (Viajes InterRías)
The New Zealand attacker joins South with previous experience at FC Malaga City, in the US and part of the 2012, 2014 and 2016 NZ Youth World Cup squads.
- Brianne Reed (FC Nordsjaellan)
The American-born Dominican Republic International Central defender commands the ball both in the air and on ground level. Her physical attributes, aggressive style of play, and leadership both on and off the park will be a standout this season for South.
- Betti Michael (Alamein)
The speedy winner will add dangerous pace in their attacking third for South next season.
- Leia Varley (FV Emerging)
Many South fans will remember Varley breaking into the club’s first team at only 16 years of age during the 2018 season, before playing a key role in the club reaching the 2019 Semi Final.
- Dragana Kljajić (Motherwell)
Kljajić is a highly skilled attacking midfielder who is calm with the ball at her feet and lethal when pressing forward.
Originally from South Australia, she’s regarded as one of the finest midfielders in the state and has contributed to the Championship winning sides of Salisbury Inter and West Adelaide Hellas in recent times. Her form also saw her signed by A-League Women’s Club Adelaide United.
- Danielle Wise (Heidelberg)
In a massive coup for the club, reigning NPLW Golden Boot winner Danielle Wise has made the move from Heidelberg to Lakeside.
Danielle grew up on the South Coast of New South Wales where she began her football journey in Ulladulla before stepping up to the representative ranks for Southern Branch. She played there for nine years culminating in winning the NPL NSW Women’s 2 Player of the Year at the age of 19. In 2019 she moved north joining the academy setup at Central Coast where she scored 29 goals for the Mariner Ladies in 24 appearances.
Wise was on the move again in 2020 heading to Gold Coast United in the NPL Queensland Women’s competition. Danielle then made the trek south to Victoria joining Heidelberg United. She scored 11 goals in the suspended 2021 season and a further 16 in 2022 picking up the NPL Victoria Women’s Golden Boot.
OUTS:
- Zoe Haratsis (Bayside), Cassie Carmen (Boroondara Eagles),Jessica Young (Bulleen Lions)