Western United have signed history-making Philippines star Sara Eggesvik for the 2024-25 Liberty A-League season.
After announcing the departure of inaugural captain and Philippines international Jaclyn Sawicki on Tuesday, Western unveiled her countrywoman Eggesvik 24 hours later.
Eggesvik etched her name into Philippines history at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup after providing the assist for Sarina Bolden’s goal that earned the country their first ever win at a World Cup finals, and she arrives with a prestigious CV.
The 27-year-old – who represented Norway at youth level through her Norwegian father before playing for the Philippines – made her professional debut aged 17 and has played in Norway’s top flight as well as for Charlton Athletic in the FA Women’s Championship.
“I’m very excited to start playing at Western United. I’ve heard good things about the league, and football in Australia is thriving right now with the Matildas,” she said.
“I’ve only heard good things about the club and the way they play – it’s an exciting way of playing football and something I hope I can contribute to.
“They’ve also had a really good two years in the A-League, so I would like to keep that up this year, too.”
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Eggesvik worked with current Western Sydney Wanderers boss Alen Stajcic during his historic tenure with the Philippines.
She was part of the squad that won the 2022 AFF Women’s Championship as they went on to qualify for last year’s World Cup.
The 25-time international is now coached by former Western United head coach Mark Torcaso, who replaced Stajcic following the 2023 showpiece.
She also went up against the CommBank Matildas in last year’s AFC Women’s Asian Olympic qualifiers.
Kat Smith’s Western have also signed Chloe Lincoln, Sasha Grove and Alana Cortellino, while retaining Kahli Johnson, Melissa Taranto, Adriana Taranto, Julia Sardo, Alyssa Dall’Oste, Natalie Picak and Aimee Medwin.
“Sara has such a unique blend of athleticism and grace both with and without the ball, and I believe she can become one of the best midfielders in the Liberty A-League,” said head coach Smith.
“She is a true midfielder that loves the ball at her feet, and her strengths in possession are going to combine perfectly with the exciting, attacking brand of football that we will look to play.
“Her character as a person and her experience in the game is equally impressive and I am incredibly excited about the role she will play in our group as we aim high this season.”
