Western United have locked down two of the club’s brightest young talents ahead of the new Ninja A-League season, re-signing both Keiwa Hieda and Kiara De Domizio.
Fresh off an impressive 2023-24 campaign where she featured in all 23 of the club’s matches, winger Hieda will don the Green and Black for another season having penned a one-year extension.
Hieda found the back of the net three times and registered two assists in 23 games, helping Western United secure a third-placed finish last season.
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“I’m really excited for this season. I’ve been training harder over the off-season for the last three months, and now I’m ready,” Hieda said.
“For this season, I want to show my potential to get the title with the team and the supporters,” said Hieda, who was enjoying her first ever season in professional football.
“I want to score more than last year and spread my name in the Ninja A-League.”
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Meanwhile, Western have also re-signed De Domizio following her breakout season in 2023-24.
Now 23, De Domizio featured four times for Kat Smith’s side last term and scored arguably the most important goal of their campaign as they salvaged a 1-1 draw against fellow finals competitors Central Coast Mariners on the last weekend of the regular season.
“Last season provided me with an invaluable experience and I’m eager to build on that,” said De Domizio.
“This season I’m more determined than ever to advance my game and play a key role in helping the team achieve greater success.
She added: “Playing at home gives us a great advantage with the support of our fans. The culture and the atmosphere in the games last season was unreal and I’m looking forward to contributing to more of the team’s successes at home.”
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Having already signed six new players including the likes of Philippines international Sara Eggesvik and Chloe Lincoln, Western have also been busy re-signing the vast majority of their squad from last season.
Headlined by CommBank Matildas midfielder and club captain Chloe Logarzo signing a new deal, the 2022-23 Ninja A-League Grand Finalists have now re-signed 11 players from last season.
With nine players from last season’s squad already re-signed ahead of the new campaign – including Matildas midfielder and club captain Chloe Logarzo – the extensions of Hieda and De Domizio
“In their first seasons in professional football, Keiwa and Kiara were excellent for us and we are delighted to have them back to continue their development at Ironbark Fields,” said Western United General Manager of football, Mal Impiombato.
“Their blend of athleticism, skill and work ethic has made them valuable members of our squad and we are excited to see both players take the next step this season.
He added: “Our squad is shaping up to play fast-paced, exciting, attacking football and we look forward to Keiwa and Kiara being big parts of that this season.”
Western United kick off their Ninja A-League campaign on Friday October 1 against Wellington Phoenix and Ironbark Fields.
