Melbourne City have signed promising teenagers Nia Stamatopoulos and Chelsea Blissett three days out from their Westfield W-League opener against Canberra United.
Blissett, 18, joins from South Melbourne and will likely serve as an understudy to captain and established left-back Steph Catley.
Stamatopoulos, meanwhile, is a versatile attacking midfielder who has recently impressed with the Westfield Junior Matildas.
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The 15-year-old is eager to soak up every part of the experience as she rubs shoulders with City’s stars.
“Obviously joining the club is an amazing feeling, I feel really proud about getting this opportunity and now I need to keep working hard at training to keep on improving,” Stamatopoulos told her club website.
“Rado [Vidosic] has helped me a lot, he’s given me plenty of feedback and little tips to help me improve, which has made a huge difference.
“Playing alongside these girls has already helped me physically and also technically as a player.”
Blissett, who spent time learning her trade in Sydney, greeted the deal as a dream come true.
“It’s a really surreal experience,” the defender said. “It’s something that I have wanted ever since I was little.
“Training has definitely been a step up from WNPL, but I have found that it’s really pushed me to lift my game to the next level and it’s been incredible to be under the influence of so many amazing players.
“I’m aiming to bring in a bit of drive and go as a youngster, because that’s how I like to play.”
Images: Melbourne City FC
