Grace Abbey signs for Adelaide United

Adelaide United has announced the signing of defender Grace Abbey for the coming 2016/17 season.

17-year-old Abbey was part of the Adelaide United Women’s team for the 2015/16 season and is currently with the Young Matildas Camp in Sydney.

In 2016 she was part of the Football Federation South Australia (FFSA) National Training Centre team and in 2015 was named FFSA’s Rising Star. 

Speaking on re-signing for the Reds, Abbey said she is looking forward to linking up with her new Adelaide teammates and having a successful season. 

“It feels great to have signed for the Adelaide United Women’s team again,” Abbey said. “Right now I’m with the Young Matildas in Sydney, which is great, and I can’t wait to get back home and start training with my teammates. 

“I’m really looking forward to getting out on the field and playing good football and I think we’ll have the squad to have a great year. 

“Huss (Adelaide United’s Head of Youth Development and Women’s Football) has really connected with us girls already and has set his standards and the goals he wants us to achieve. 

“Every year we want to make sure that we push for a spot in the finals and to do that we need to make sure we’re pushing to win games. 

“The main thing that we’re going to look to do is make sure we’re hungry throughout the season and play some really attacking football.” 

Head of Youth Development and Women’s Football, Huss Skenderovic, said Abbey will add great defensive stability to the Reds’ side. 

“Grace is a great player and has been recognised for that by being called into the Young Matildas camp recently,” Skenderovic said. 

“The experience she will gain from this camp will help her, but also the experience she has gained by being part of this team last season will benefit our team all around.

“Grace is a great defender and for someone her age she’s very mature both on and off the park, which will definitely be welcomed in our squad.”