Ashleigh Sykes will don the Canberra United green for another campaign as she returns to the capital for Season 10 of the Westfield W-League.
Sykes will return on a loan from the NWSL’s Portland Thorns, who she won a Championship with during the W-League offseason.
Last year’s Golden Boot winner and the Julie Dolan medallist from Season 8, Sykes will bring her extraordinary goalscoring ability and leadership skills to Canberra as one of two foundation players remaining.
The other will be midfielder Caitlin Munoz, who returns after a season off due to injury and will likely play an important role amongst what is a young side.
Munoz made 75 appearances in eight seasons for United, scoring 22 goals in the process while also remaining a Matildas stalwart.
Sykes returned from Portland last week ahead of the new season, and said she couldn’t wait to be back in Green.
“I am really just excited to get out on the park,” she said.
“It has been great coming into camp and working with Heather and the girls ahead of our match against [Melbourne] Victory.
When Canberra took on Victory in Melbourne last season, Sykes stood tall at the end of the match to slot home a last minute penalty, but the 98-game veteran is hoping the match isn’t so tight this time around.
“Victory are always a tough outfit to play against,” she said.
“We will have to be at our best this weekend but I have confidence in our system and the players we have to get the job done.”
