Canberra United has boosted its stocks of international players by signing Football Ferns forward Emma Kete from New Zealand for the rest of the Westfield W-League season.
Canberra United has boosted its stocks of international players by signing Football Ferns forward Emma Kete from New Zealand for the rest of the Westfield W-League season.
Kete, who played for Perth Glory earlier in the competition, will link up with fellow New Zealander Aroon Clansey as United seek cover for the end of season finals in the absence of the injured Caitlin Munoz and the departed Kahlia Hogg.
The striker, who has 42 full international caps to her name, is no stranger to Canberra supporters having netted a goal for the Glory during the club-s 2-3 loss to the green team in Round Two at McKellar Park.
“My memories of the match at McKellar weren-t great because we lost,” Kete recalls “However, the atmosphere was brilliant and that was my debut game in the competition so it was pretty exciting to see the fans and the standard was really good. I was impressed and I managed to score a goal! I enjoy the Westfield W-League and the style of play. I enjoy most of all seeing the good Australian internationals.”
As well as her four game stint at the Glory, Kete is a well-travelled player having played football in Canada, England and Finland as well as her home country.
“I played for Three Kings United in Auckland and I-m a New Zealand international with the Football Ferns,” Kete confirmed. “After the World Cup in Germany last year I stayed on in Europe to do some travelling and played for Lincoln Ladies in England and then went to Finland to finish their season and got to play in the Champions League before heading over here for the Westfield W-League.”
Whilst with Three Kings United the diminutive striker became firm friends with United reserve ‘keeper Aroon Clansey, known to be a happy-go-lucky individual within the United set-up.
“Aroon is my team mate for club and internationally and even I can-t really describe what she-s like!” Kete said. “She-s awesome to hang out with and is very funny. It-s really good that we play together. We are good friends outside of football as well, so to play together at international level and now get a chance at club level is great.
“It means a lot to me to be selected and I-m so excited. Its great being able to train with this team so to be selected for the squad is amazing. To have the opportunity to play in a finals game is exciting and I-m grateful for it. I-m fast and think I make good runs in behind the defence. I-m aggressive and I like to get on the ball as often as possible, so I hope I get the chance to show the Canberra supporters what I can do.”
STATISTICS
Name: Emma Kete
Position: Forward
Date of Birth: 1 September 1987
Place of Birth: Auckland, New Zealand
Clubs: Lynn-Avon United, Ottawa Fury Women, Three Kings United, Lincoln Ladies, PK-35 Vantaa, Perth Glory (4 appearances, 2 goals)
Representative Honours: New Zealand under-20, New Zealand
New Zealand: 42 appearances, 3 goals (debut: 04/02/07 v Australia (TBC) L 0-6)
Notes: 2008 – Olympics (Beijing, China)
