Sydney FC forward Princess Ibini is set to break the club’s all-time appearance record, having signed on for her 10th season with the Sky Blues aged 24.
Ibini made her first appearance for Sydney FC in October of 2015 as a 15-year-old and has remained at the club ever since.
The one-club player is already a Sky Blues legend; at 24, Ibini has won three Liberty A-League Championships and three Premierships at the club in 140 appearances.
She’s also appeared in more Grand Finals than any other player in competition history.
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A Matildas debutant in 2017, Ibini surpassed the 100-game mark for Sydney FC in the Liberty A-League in 2023 – the youngest to ever reach that milestone in the competition’s history at 22 years, 11 months and 10 days.
Now, as she puts pen to paper on a one-year extension at the Sky Blues, Ibini is just five games shy of the club’s all-time appearance record of 145, set by club great Teresa Polias.
“I can’t believe it, it’s amazing,” Ibini said. “I wouldn’t want to do this with any other club and I’m just very grateful for this opportunity.
“The club has definitely helped me along the way through all the coaches and players, and it has turned me into the player and the person I am off the field as well.
“Teresa Polias was such a staple for the club and still is now. She’s a legend of the club and to overtake her is crazy to me, I can’t even put it into words.”
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Ibini and Sydney FC are coming off two consecutive Championships in the Liberty A-League and will gun for a three-peat in 2024-25.
Ibini captained the Sky Blues through almost the entirety of the 2023-24 season after club captain Natalie Tobin’s ACL injury suffered in the first round of the season.
With Cortnee Vine’s departure to North Carolina Courage in the United States confirmed, Ibini will need to shoulder more of the attacking burden in the new campaign as she looks to play a key role in Sydney’s push for a third-consecutive Championship – a feat only achieved once in Liberty A-League history (Melbourne City, 2016-2018).
Sydney FC head coach Ante Juric lauded Ibini for her longevity in the Liberty A-League and highlighted the incredible nature of her 10th season in Sky Blue beginning at the age of 24.
“Princess deserves all the accolades and praise she will receive for starting in her 10th consecutive season for Sydney FC, this is an amazing achievement,” Juric said.
“It’s an achievement that will give her the opportunity to surpass Teresa’s games record,” he said.
“It’s an incredible story considering she is still only 24-years-old.
“I know that she will continue to be committed and to work hard and improve, so she can go onto another level in her career, in many ways.”
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