Central Coast Mariners have recruited American defender Brianne Riley for the 2024-25 Ninja A-League season.
Riley arrives in Gosford from Austrian club FC Pinzgau Saalfelden, where she signed her first professional contract following a successful five-year college football career.
An NSCAA High School All-American in 2019, the 24-year-old won the 2022 NCAA Division I Women’s Championship – just the second in UCSL Bruins’ history, while amassing almost 100 appearances during her four years in Los Angeles.
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Briley also spent time with Georgetown and played 23 matches before moving to Austria.
“I am so excited to have joined the Mariners. They are relatively new back into the league, having had a successful season last year, and I am really excited to be a part of this club and to help build the team even more,” Riley said ahead of the Round 1 opener against Sydney FC on November 2.
“This team has a tonne of potential and I am eager to work with everyone ahead of a huge season.
“I can’t wait to get out onto the pitch at our incredible stadium, meet our fans and put on the Yellow and Navy jersey.”
Riley is the latest new face at the Mariners after Taylor Ray, Jade Pennock, Brooke Nunn, Jessika Nash and Chloe Carmichael.
Annalise Rasmussen, Ash Irwin, Isabel Gomez, Peta Trimis and Taren King have also re-signed with the 2023-24 Semi-Finalists.
“Brianne is strong and robust player who has all of the attributes that I look for in a defender,” said head coach Emily Husband.
“She will help solidify our backline this season, complementing the defenders that we already have.
“She is someone who is willing to put everything on the line for the team to win the ball back and has a great eye for a pass as well.
“Brianne has so much potential and having only been in the professional game for six months, this is just the start of what I think will be an amazing footballing journey for her.”
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