Adelaide United have lured Australian international and accomplished central defender Matilda McNamara home for a third stint at the club.
The 25-year-old returns to Adelaide from Danish club AGF, where she’s played her club football since departing the Reds in 2022.
McNamara became a senior Australian international following her move to Denmark when she made her CommBank Matildas debut in November of 2022 against Thailand; now, the centre-back returns to South Australia and Adelaide United, where she made 33 appearances in Red across two stints between 2015 and 2022.
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McNamara is set to link up with the Adelaide squad in September ahead of the 2024-25 Liberty A-League season, and is eager to prove how her experience abroad has furthered her development as a footballer across her one-season contract with the Reds.
“While I’ve greatly enjoyed my time overseas, I’m excited to rejoin my United family for the upcoming season,” said McNamara.
“My experiences over the past few years have made me a more knowledgeable footballer and person, and I’m eager to contribute this value to the team.
“I’m really looking forward to getting started and pushing for a more positive result for the club and team this season.”
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McNamara is the first new arrival of the off-season at the Reds; Hannah Blake, Annabel Haffenden, Jenna Holtz, Alana Jancevski, Mariah Lee, Rosetta Taylor, Grace Wilson, Maruschka Waldus and Emilia Murray have all been confirmed as departures from the squad that finished on the foot of the Liberty A-League table in 2023-24.
Adelaide United head of football Marius Zanin praised McNamara as a pivotal recruit for the club ahead of the new season.
“It is fantastic to welcome Matilda back to Coopers Stadium, Zanin said.
“Bringing Matilda home is key to the way we want to play this season. We know she’ll add a wealth of experience to the team, but at the same time, we look forward to seeing her continue to develop in Red.”
