Melbourne City FC announces the signing of Matildas midfielder Alex Chidiac. She becomes the third Matilda to return from Europe and sign for City after Emma Checker and Jenna McCormick.
Her successful spell at Spanish Primera Division club Atletico Madrid included 22 games and she scored three goals. She re-joins City after having been a part of the Club’s double winning squad in 2015/16 and is looking forward to bringing her experience in one of the Europe’s top Leagues back into the Westfield W-League.
Chidiac has already made 38 appearances in the league and is looking to add to her four goals. There is no doubt she will add extra quality to City’s midfield and will link up with the squad after completing her mandatory 14 days of quarantine after returning to Australia late last week.
Melbourne City FC Director of Football Michael Petrillo said:
“When we knew that Alex may be available, we were thrilled.
“She is a technically gifted player that can run at players and create chances which is exactly what we needed in our midfield.
“Added to that she has had a great experience in Europe and knows what our program is about having been here with us before so it’s a perfect fit.”
Alex Chidiac said:
“After a tough 12 months this is the right time for me to come back home for a change and a new challenge and I’m very excited to be returning to a quality league like the W-League.
“I felt right at home with City in my first season with the Club so I’m very excited to be back. The professional environment and culture that City has built over the years is something any player wants to be part of and is definitely something that I’m looking forward to returning to.
“It’s always exciting to be at a club that values its players not only as footballers but as individuals. I know the Club will do everything to get the best out of its players and in return I’ll do everything to give back.
“The team has been very successful over the years and I want to help contribute to what the players and staff have already built. On a personal level I just want to get back to playing the game I love.”
Melbourne City FC can also confirm the signings of striker Harriet Withers, midfielder Sarah Cain, attacking midfielder Margot Robbine, and defenders Naomi Chinnama and Lia Muldeary.
Cain, Chinnama and Muldeary have all come through Football Victoria’s National Training Centre program and Muldeary has also been a part of City’s squad previously and made her W-League debut at 15 back in 2017.
Robinne has experience playing in her home country France’s first and second tier but is now Australia based and has played NPL at Bulleen Lions and Bayside United.
All had been training with City throughout the pre-season and have now been awarded with contracts after impressing.
Melbourne City FC’s Westfield W-League squad:
Teigen ALLEN, Chelsea BLISSETT, Sarah CAIN, Alex CHIDIAC, Emma CHECKER, Naomi CHINNAMA, Leah DAVIDSON, Tori TUMETH, Rhali DOBSON, Samantha JOHNSON, Chinatsu KIRA, Sofia SAKALIS, Melissa BARBIERI, Jenna MCCORMICK, Teagan MICAH, Hollie PALMER, Lia MULDEARY, Margot ROBINNE, Julia SARDO, Tyla-Jay VLAJNIC, Harriet WITHERS.
