Victory sign USA international for new season

Melbourne Victory have signed their second overseas player for the upcoming Westfield W-League season, with American Christina Gibbons joining the team.

The 22-year-old joins on loan from FC Kansas City in the NWSL, where she was a first round selection in the 2017 NWSL College Draft and has represented the USA at Under 20 and Under 23 level.

“She’s actually a full-back that (Kansas City) have converted into a six and played as that midfielder all season,” W-League coach Jeff Hopkins said.

“What she’s got from playing in that full-back position is that she’s good defensively and she’s mobile as well.

“She’s a good passer of the ball and her all-round game is really good, so if we played her in a three-player midfield I think she could almost play in any of the roles.

“But we’ve predominantly got her to play as a six, as a defensive midfielder and also to support the back four in playing out and starting things from the back.

“I’m quite excited about seeing her because she’s a young player who’s enthusiastic to come over.”

Victory’s W-League season begins with a home game against Canberra United at Epping Stadium on Saturday, October 28.

Victory’s current Westfield W-League squad

Laura Alleway, Melina Ayres, Mindy Barbieri, Angela Beard, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Casey Dumont (GK), Natasha Dowie, Christina Gibbons, Alexandra Gummer, Gulcan Koca, Annabel Martin, Bethany Mason-Jones (GK), Laura Spiranovic