Eastern Suburbs have signed Women’s National League Golden Boot winner Sofia Garcia from local rivals Western Springs.
Garcia (25) will move across the city after two seasons at Seddon Fields to join Suburbs and their new head coach, 124-cap Football Fern Katie Duncan.
“Unsurprisingly, Sofia has already seamlessly become part of the Suburbs team — recently nominated from the squad into the leadership group,” Duncan has told Suburbs followers via social media.
Garcia was the National League’s top scorer in 2023, averaging a goal a game in the nine-round competition.
READ MORE: Women’s Golden Boot won by Western Springs striker Sofia Garcia >>>>
She finished a goal ahead of Suburbs’ Charlotte Lancaster who has since joined Sydney club APIA Liechhardt.
United States-born Garcia was also selected for a NZ Football-selected ‘team of the season’ from the National League.
READ MORE: NZ Football names ‘teams of the season’ from National League players >>>>
More signings bolster Suburbs squad
Eastern Suburbs have made other signings in an effort to improve on last year’s runners-up spot in the Lotto NRFL Women’s Premiership, and third placing in the National League.
Defender Emily Pilbrow (20) has joined from relegated Northern Rovers,
“Emily has to be one of the most underrated defenders in the league. She is athletic, reliable, and an overall great defender as well as a fantastic leader,” Duncan said.
Isabella Atkinson (18) joins from Wellington’s Western Suburbs, where she was part of the Olé Academy.
Duncan: “It’s no surprise that Isabella comes from a footballing family, given her talent. Her father is former All-White Mark Atkinson, and her auntie (is) Football Ferns legend, and past Suburbs player, Marlies James (Oostdam).”
Goalkeeper Nikki Whyte (19) has signed from Bay of Plenty club Otumoetai.
Duncan has become Suburbs’ director of women’s football, replacing Steven Hoyle who has joined Central Football as the federation’s Hawke’s Bay community development officer.
How they finished last year
How they finished last year
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