Melbourne City FC has strengthened our Women’s squad ahead of the 2025/26 season, confirming the addition of six exciting new faces.
Junior Matildas captain Kaya Jugovic headlines the group, signing a two-year deal. The 16-year-old midfielder arrives on the back of a standout ASEAN U16 Championships, where she was named Player of the Tournament after leading Australia to the title with a 1-0 win over Thailand in the Final.
She is joined by fellow Junior Matildas Izabella Rako, Keira Sarris, Danella Butrus, and Dali Gorr Burchmore.
Rako, also signing a two-year contract, marks a milestone for the Club by becoming the first Women’s player to progress through City Football Schools before earning a professional deal – a clear demonstration of the strength of City’s development pathway.
Sarris, a promising young defender from Football Victoria’s Emerging Program, is regarded as an exciting prospect for the future, while Butrus brings strong credentials as the joint winner of the NPLW Gold Medal and recipient of the NPLW Media Player of the Year award.
Goalkeeper Gorr Burchmore also arrives with a growing reputation as a promising young shot-stopper.
Completing the new arrivals is goalkeeper Ayana Aoyagi, who joins from South Melbourne and will add valuable depth and experience to the squad.
Together, the signings continue City’s proud tradition of investing in emerging Australian talent, complementing a squad already brimming with experienced internationals ready to compete for silverware on both domestic and continental fronts this season.
Melbourne City FC Director of Football, Michael Petrillo, said:
“We’re really pleased to be welcoming so many young homegrown talents into our squad for the season ahead.
“Our Club has always prided itself on supporting and developing female footballers, and that commitment is reflected in the players we are announcing today. They each bring exciting qualities to the team and will have the perfect environment to continue growing alongside our experienced group.
“With both the A-League Women’s and AFC Women’s Champions League campaigns on the horizon, the depth and balance of our squad will be more important than ever.”
2025/26 Melbourne City FC Women’s Squad
Alexia APOSTOLAKIS, Ayana AOYAGI (GK), Melissa BARBIERI (GK), Danella BUTRUS, Dali GORR BURCHMORE (GK), Leah DAVIDSON, Bryleeh HENRY, Laura HUGHES, Deven JACKSON, Kaya JUGOVIC, Caitlin KARIC, Aideen KEANE, Leticia MCKENNA, Shelby MCMAHON, Holly MCNAMARA, Malena MIERES (GK), Taylor OTTO, Izabella RAKO, Karly ROESTBAKKEN, Keira SARRIS, Rebekah STOTT, Danielle TURNER, Chinaza UCHENDU, Ellie WILSON.
