Champions Melbourne City have confirmed Welsh international Jess Fishlock will return to the club for a third straight Westfield W-League season.
The midfielder is regarded as one of the best players in women’s football and returns for the 2017/18 Season after playing a key role in back-to-back titles for the club.
“I’m really excited to be back here in Melbourne. I’ve been at City from the very beginning and to have been part of the success we have achieved, and to see the progress we have made is something that makes me not only proud, but extremely motivated to achieve more,” Fishlock said.
“City provides the perfect environment for me to continue my development as both a player and a coach.
“The people I have met here and the opportunities I have been given by the City Football Group have really made an impact on me.”
Fishlock was one of the W-League’s best players last season, earning selection in the Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) W-League Team of the Year.
She scored eight goals for the season; including two decisive strikes in both the Semi Final and Grand Final wins.
Fishlock will also continue her coaching career as a playing senior assistant, alongside Head Coach Patrick Kisnorbo.
“Jess has demonstrated during her time at City that she is a natural born leader both on and off the field,” Kisnorbo said.
“She has been an instrumental part of the success we have achieved in the past two seasons and I am looking forward to working with her again this season.”
Fishlock became the first Welsh player to reach 100 international caps in March and has returned home to prepare for Wales’ upcoming 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier against Russia.
She joins Kyah Simon, Amy Jackson, Rhali Dobson, Hayley Richmond, Tyla-Jay Vlajnic and Sofia Sakalis ahead of City’s season-opener against Perth Glory next Friday.
