It was a big week of transfer activity for our Matildas abroad, with Kyra Cooney-Cross landing a move to English giants Arsenal, while Clare Hunt was snapped up by French powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain.
On the back of her impressive World Cup performances, Cooney-Cross secured her move to Arsenal from Swedish club Hammarby on a permanent deal.
Gunners head coach Jonas Eidevall said: “Kyra is one of the best young players in world football and we are delighted to have brought her to Arsenal.
“Her passing ability and explosiveness allow her to affect games in a way you rarely see from such a young player, so we firmly believe she will be an excellent addition to our midfield, now and in the future.”
💬 "I immediately had a really good feeling and thought it was the best decision. I trusted my gut."
Watch @kyracooneyx’s very first interview as an Arsenal player ❤️
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) September 15, 2023
Matildas centre-back Clare Hunt was outstanding during the World Cup and has penned a deal with PSG until June 30 2026, leaving A-League club Western Sydney Wanderers.
“I’m very happy to be joining Paris Saint-Germain,” Hunt said. “It was a personal goal of mine to play football outside Australia, and to join a very big club. I know I’m going to progress, and I can’t wait to get started.
“It’s a very big club, with its own identity and a great deal of success. I want to be able to be part of those ever-growing ambitions, and also bring something new to the team. As an Australian, I can bring other things to the table, my own brand of football.”
📹🎙️
La première interview de Clare Hunt en Rouge et Bleu ! #WelcomeClare ❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/s1CJsXKPnY
— PSG Féminines (@PSG_Feminines) September 15, 2023
Hunt wasn’t in the PSG squad which won 3-0 away to Bordeaux on Sunday in the French Feminine Division opening round.
Elsewhere in France, Ellie Carpenter started and played 59 minutes in Olympique Lyon’s 4-0 victory at Le Havre on Friday.
In Spain’s Primera Division Feminina, Hayley Raso made her Real Madrid debut as a 60th minute substitute in their 2-0 win at Valencia in the opening weekend of fixtures.
🤩 @HayleyRaso 🤝 Feller 🤩 pic.twitter.com/nk2xF8TfiF
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadridfem) September 16, 2023
In Sweden’s Damallsvenskan, Katrina Gorry scored Vittsjo’s opening goal on the hour as they triumphed 2-1 at Uppsala.
Gorry swooped on a poor goalkeeper clearance, taking two touches in space before unleashing a long-range shot which flew on off the underside of the crossbar.
Gorry, Clare Polkinghorne and Charlotte Grant all played full games for Vittsjo.
Drömmål av Katrina-Lee Gorry 👏👀
Vittsjö tar ledningen borta mot Uppsala pic.twitter.com/QF4cGlyxeU
— Viaplay Fotboll (@ViaplayFotboll) September 17, 2023
In Denmark’s Kvindeliga, Matilda McNamara put in a full shift as AGF won 1-0 at Thy ThistedQ.
In Mexico’s Liga MX Femenil, Alex Chidiac was a 58th minute substitute and came close to scoring late with a curling left-foot shot as Tigres UNAL won 4-0 at Queretaro.
80’ ⏱ | QRO 0️⃣ – 4️⃣ TIG | ¡Chidiiiiiiiaaaaaaac!#SiempreContigo 👊#EstoEsTigresFemenil 🐯 pic.twitter.com/tB0x6rMFQf
— Club Tigres Femenil 🐯 (@TigresFemenil) September 16, 2023
In USA’s NWSL, Emily van Egmond played a full game as San Diego Wave lost 2-1 at home to Kansas City Current.
In other Matildas’ transfer news, veteran ex-PSG and Arsenal goalkeeper Lydia Williams exited Brighton & Hove Albion to join A-League club Melbourne Victory on a two-year contract.
𝑾𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒎𝒔 𝑺𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒔 🤩
Melbourne Victory is pleased to announce the signing of Matildas goalkeeper Lydia Williams for the 2023/24 @aleaguewomen season.
Welcome, @lydsaussie 👋
— Melbourne Victory (@gomvfc) September 16, 2023
