Chelsie Dawber and Adelaide United are reuniting, with the highly rated forward returning to her hometown club ahead of the upcoming Liberty A-League season.
Dawber is back in Adelaide on loan from Chicago Red Stars, having departed South Australia for the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) club on a two-year deal in April.
The 22-year-old made four appearances – one start – for the Red Stars in 22 after a career-best season in the A-League Women, where she bagged 10 goals in 15 games.
“I’m very happy to be coming home and playing for the Reds again,” said Dawber, with Adelaide due to kick-off their 2022-23 campaign against reigning premiers and Grand Finalists Sydney FC at ServiceFM Stadium on November 20.
“Last season we were able to achieve our maiden finals appearance and we’re in a very good position to progress even further this season.
“The squad Adrian (Stenta) and the club have assembled is one of the strongest I’ve seen and I’m excited to be part of it this season.”
Alongside ALW top goalscorer and Julie Dolan Medallist Fiona Worts, Dawber and Adelaide finished third last season as they reached the semi-finals.
Adelaide have been busy bolstering their squad with the arrivals of Jenna McCormick, MelindaJ Barbieri, Meisha Westland, Jenna Farrow, Grace Wilson, Zoe Tolland (scholarship), Katie Bowler (scholarship), Sasha Coorey (scholarship), Emilia Murray (scholarship).
The Reds have also re-signed Annalee Grove, Emily Hodgson, Isabel Hodgson, Maruschka Waldus, Ella Tonkin, Nano Sasaki, Dylan Holmes, Paige Hayward, Emily Condon and Worts.
“It’s a fantastic acquisition for the club to be bringing Chelsie back to Adelaide for the 2022-23 season,” said Adelaide head coach Adrian Stenta.
“The impact Chelsie had on our team, alongside our other forwards, was crucial in securing our first finals appearance and we’re expecting much more of the same from her and our team this year.
“The foundations we’ve laid right across the playing group are as strong as they’ve ever been and we have high hopes for the level of success we’ll enjoy throughout this season.”
