Signing news: Allen returns to Wanderland, City captain extends stay

MATILDAS defender Emma Checker has re-signed with Melbourne City for the next two W-League campaigns.

Checker has made 23 of her 101 W-League appearances for the club since signing on in 2019, captaining the side through a testing 2020/21 campaign.

The 25-year-old will wear the armband for City once more this season, leading from the back as Rado Vidosic’s team look to bounce back from a seventh-placed finish last season.

The ever-improving defender took her total Matildas caps to seven over the off-season, featuring in a pair of friendlies for the national side against Netherlands and Germany before the Tokyo 2020 Olympic campaign.

Checker says adding two more years to her City stay was an easy choice considering the club’s commitment to development of the W-League side.

“It was an easy decision to sign on for the next two years,” Checker said.

“I’ve loved my time at City so far and feel like there’s a lot more I can bring and contribute in the seasons to come.

“We’ve experienced some highs and some lows, but that’s football and it’s all in the way we bounce back this season. It’s been an amazing journey so far and I’m excited by the direction the club is heading in.

“The club shows great commitment and ambition towards the women’s team. It’s important as women that we feel valued by our club and that’s a big part of why I feel so heavily invested in the club in the long run.”

Emma Checker

Allen back in Red and Black

Experienced defender Teigen Allen has returned to Wanderland, signing on to play under former Western Sydney teammate Catherine Cannuli who will lead the club as head coach in 2020/21.

Allen and Cannuli were teammates in the Wanderers’ inaugural 2012/13 W-League squad, with the former signing on with the Red and Black after a stint at Sydney FC between 2009-12. Allen made 21 appearances in two seasons for the Wanderers, and returns at 27 years of age to provide her services to the club once more. 

Putting pen to paper on a one-season deal with the club, Allen says she’s eager to work under Cannuli who she expects will push the squad to its limits in 2021/22.

“I’m at a stage in my career where I understand the importance of atmosphere and energy within a team and a club,” Allen said.

“I know I will be able to get the most out of myself and play my best football if and/when I am surrounded by a healthy football environment and I do believe the club and Catherine (Cannuli) will and have provided that. 

“Catherine has always been a leader and a role to model to me since I first started my professional football career. I have so much respect for her on and off the field.

“I know playing for the Wanderers with Catherine as head coach, myself and my team will be pushed to our football limits. Putting us in a position to be a top-quality team, week in and week out, giving us the best opportunity we have to come finish on top.”

Allen takes control of possession for the Wanderers in a 2013 W-League fixture