Western United have made a statement with the signing of American attacker Catherine Zimmerman on a one-year deal from Liberty A-League rivals Melbourne Victory.
A two-time champion with Victory, Zimmerman becomes Western’s first signing of the off-season as the 2022-23 Grand Finalists prepare for their second A-League Women campaign.
The 29-year-old’s switch across Victoria means a reunion with head coach Mark Torcaso and a number of Western players due to her history with NPLW VIC giants Calder United.
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“I’m super excited to be joining Western United this season. I’ve had the privilege of playing with a lot of these girls when I first came to Australia so I’m really looking forward to sharing the field with them again,” said Zimmerman, who scored one goal in 11 appearances in an injury-interrupted campaign last term.
“The team made a huge statement last year, and if I know anything about these girls it’s that they’re all about consistency.
“I believe I have that same mentality and with my few years of experience in the league and my relationship with the girls, I’m inspired to add something special to the group so we can have another successful season.”
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In her three seasons with Jeff Hopkins’ Victory, Zimmerman scored 14 goals in 37 games and won consecutive Championships in 2021 and 2022, scoring in the latter year’s Grand Final.
She arrives at Western, having worked with Torcaso at Calder in Victoria’s National Premier League.
With 43 goals in 28 games, Zimmerman won the league’s Golden Boot in 2018 before helping Calder win the treble the following year.
She will now join forces with the Liberty A-League’s reigning Golden Boot holder and fellow American Hannah Keane and Young Matildas sensation Kahli Johnson.
“Zim has been a star in this league for the last couple of years and she will add so much quality into the final third for us,” Torcaso said.
“Her finishing is up there with the very best, she has great pace and skill on the ball and she is a brilliant person who already has a strong connection with a number of our players and staff, so she will fit seamlessly into our group.
“I’ve known Zim for a long time and it will be special to reunite with her now in the A-League. I can’t wait to work with her again and I can’t wait for our fans to see what she can do.”
