Western Sydney Wanderers have announced four foreign signings for the upcoming Westfield W-League season.
Katie Stengel headlines the American quartet while Australian fans will be very familiar with powerful midfielder Kendall Fletcher.
Alex Arlitt and Paige Nielsen will also join the Red & Black with both enjoying strong college careers prior to joining the NWSL this year.
Stengel is an exciting signing for the Wanderers with the centre forward signing from Washington Spirit. Spirit are currently top of the league with one game remaining.
The 24-year-old was also the top goal scorer for Bayern Munich in their undefeated 2014/15 premiership season and narrowly missed out on selection for the USA National Team’s final squad for the Rio Olympics.
Fletcher needs no introduction in Westfield W-League circles with the American international having played for three clubs, winning both the Premiership and Championship in the process. The midfielder is the third new signing for the Red & Black to have qualified for the finals in every season she has played.
Arlitt, who will be joining on loan after signing a multi-year deal with her NWSL club Kansas City, and Neilson, who is currently playing UEFA Champions League, will both add further quality to the new-look Wanderers’ squad.
Wanderers Head Coach Rich Byrne said he’s very happy with the club’s four visa signings.
“Our four American signings are players of fantastic calibre who align with the club’s values, the team’s values and my football philosophy”, said Byrne.
“At the Wanderers we’re building a culture of hard-working players with a winning mentality and as a collective these four players will bring experience, lift the standard and help us achieve good performance.
“Kendall Fletcher creates a perfect blend of youth and experience within the team, the standard of Katie Stengel’s seasons in Germany and Washington makes her a very good signing and Alex and Paige’s college resumes are of high standard.”
Stengel, Fletcher, Arlitt and Neilson will arrive in Australia in October once they complete their duties with their current clubs.
