West Coast Rangers sign striker from rivals on eve of their top-of-table clash

League leaders West Coast Rangers have signed striker Bree Johnson from nearest rivals Auckland United on the eve of their meeting in the Lotto NRFL Women’s Premiership.

Johnson (23) has been a key player for Auckland United, scoring 41 in her 78 games for the club, including the winning goal in the final of the OFC Women’s Champions League on March 23, 2024.

Main photo: Bree Johnson turns to celebrate after scoring at the OFC Champions League tournament. Photo credit: OFC / Phototek.

Rangers, who have won all five of their Premiership games this season, meet United at Keith Hay Park at 5.45pm on Saturday in a match that will decide which side leads the competition after six rounds.

Announcing her signing, Rangers told their supporters via social media: “Bree obviously brings a huge amount of experience which will be invaluable for our younger members and is also a top-class player and bolsters our strength to secure those important games.”

Johnson leaves Auckland United as the club’s all-time leading goalscorer.

After playing youth football for Onehunga Mangere United, Johnson joined Auckland United’s co-founding club Three Kings United for the 2017 season.

Since then, she’s been a mainstay in the squad that won the Women’s National League in 2023.

She’s the second player from the OFC Champions League-winning squad to transfer to a rival Auckland club since returning from the Solomon Islands tournament.

Goalkeeper Amberley Hollis, who won the Golden Glove award at the tournament, has joined Western Springs.