Melbourne City FC is delighted to announce the signing of experienced forward Melina Ayres on a two-year deal, with the 27-year-old returning to the Club where her professional career began.
The signing marks Ayres’ return to the Club almost a decade after first pulling on the City shirt.
A member of City’s inaugural Women’s squad in 2015, Ayres etched her name into Club history when she scored in City’s first-ever match, a 6-0 win over Sydney FC.
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She would go on to make 16 appearances across her first stint in City blue, helping the Club secure a historic undefeated Premiership and Championship double in its inaugural season, before adding a second Championship the following campaign.
One of the league’s most accomplished attackers, Ayres returns to City after spells with Melbourne Victory, Icelandic side Breiðablik and most recently, Newcastle Jets.
During her time in the Ninja A-League, she has amassed 116 appearances and scored 44 goals, placing her equal eighth on the competition’s all-time goalscoring list while earning a reputation as one of its most dangerous finishers.
Her impressive 2025/26 campaign was recognised with selection in the A-League All Stars squad who faced Chelsea FC on Wednesday night, featuring alongside five of her new club teammates.
Ayres returns to City bringing proven experience, attacking quality and one of the competition’s most prolific goalscoring records as the Club looks to build on last season’s Premiership and Championship-winning campaign.
She becomes City’s second new arrival of the off-season following the signing of Matilda Cortnee Vine earlier this week, adding further attacking firepower to Michael Matricciani’s squad ahead of a third consecutive AFC Women’s Champions League campaign.
Melbourne City FC Director of Football Michael Petrillo said the Club was thrilled to welcome Ayres back.
“Melina’s return is a special one for our football club,” Petrillo said.
“She played an important role in the early success of our Women’s program, and she is one of the competition’s most consistent and dangerous attacking players.
“Her experience, goalscoring ability and understanding of what it takes to succeed will be a valuable addition to our squad, and we’re excited to welcome her back to Melbourne City.”
Ayres said returning to City felt like coming home.
“I’m excited to be returning to the Club who first put their faith in me and gave me my start in the W-League.
“I have some incredible memories from those first two seasons, and I’m really excited to get the opportunity to return to City.
“The standards the group has set over the past few seasons speak for themselves, and I can’t wait to be part of this next chapter. I’m excited to get to work, reconnect with the fans and hopefully bring more success to the Club.”
