Central Coast Mariners have signed Championship-winning star Taylor Ray ahead of the 2024-25 Liberty A-League season.
The Mariners have lured Ray to Gosford after the 23-year-old CommBank Matildas midfielder won three Championships with Sydney FC.
In her seven seasons as a Sky Blue, Ray amassed 64 appearances and a haul of three Championships, including back-to-back following last season’s triumph.
“I am thrilled to be joining the Central Coast Mariners ahead of the upcoming season. Looking back at the team last year, they really flourished under Emily, and that is something that has really drawn me to the club,” said Ray, who debuted as a 16-year-old in 2017.
“The team worked so hard to achieve success and were really ambitious, so I look forward to learning and growing alongside my new teammates.
“Ever since my first conversation with Emily, she made me feel so welcome, I can’t wait for the season to begin and to be able to work with her.
“Mariners fans have always been incredible, and their support for the women’s team last season was amazing to see. I look forward to meeting them all this year and continuing to give them lots to cheer about.”
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Ray is a one-time CommBank Matildas representative, having made her senior international debut for Australia against Spain in 2022.
She is Central Coast’s first new signing heading into 2024-25 following the departures of Rola Badawiya, Jazmin Wardlow, Tiarna Karambasis, Alexia Karrys-Stahl, Maya Lobo, Briana Woodall, Kyah Simon, Casey Dumont, Faye Bryson and Paige Hayward.
“We are really pleased to have Taylor join us this season. Despite her young age, she brings a wealth of experience having been an established player in the league for some time,” said Mariners head coach Emily Husband.
“She has a fantastic technical foundation and will add a lot to our midfield, complimenting the players we already have really well.
“Taylor is not only good on the ball but is excellent at winning it back as well and has a lot of the qualities that we look for in someone to become a Central Coast Mariner.
“This is the first of many exciting player announcements that we have coming up which we look forward to being able to share with the Mariners Family.”
