Melbourne City have bolstered their strike force ahead of their upcoming W-League campaign with the acquisition of Scotland international Claire Emslie for the 2019/20 season.
At 25, the Scot has a wealth of experience at the top levels of the women’s game, with stints at English Women’s Super League sides Bristol City and Manchester City, as well as with Orlando Pride in the NWSL.
Emslie has 25 caps at senior international level and featured prominently at this year’s Women’s World Cup, appearing in all three of Scotland’s group games and even scoring her country’s first-ever Women’s World Cup goal in their 2-1 loss to England on the opening matchday.
The winger looks to be a quality signing, demonstrating the ability to trouble defenders with skillful one-on-one dribbling before tearing the opposition wide open with dangerous crossing or lethal finishing, regardless of whether she’s inside or outside of the box.
Melbourne City’s Director of Football, Michael Petrillo, told the club website:
“Claire is a player who is adept on both sides of her body, she has raw pace, the ability to beat players and to score goals.
“She’s also very versatile, where she's able to play across all three positions in the front line.”
Over the weekend, the women’s side contested a behind-closed-doors friendly with Melbourne Victory at the City Football Academy on Sunday.
The City girls lead for most of the match, but conceded a last-minute equaliser to finish the game at 3-3, with goals to Mari Pastor (trialist, Alamein FC), Emily van Egmond and Maja Markovski (trialist, Box Hill United).
City fans should be pleased to hear that Ellie Carpenter played particularly well having signed last week, with the majority of our attacking play coming through the star fullback and experienced winger Rhali Dobson on our right-hand side.
City’s W-League campaign kicks off away to Newcastle Jets at 6pm on Sunday, November 17.
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