Four-time A-League Women Champion Tyla-Jay Vlajnic has signed on for Western United ahead of its inaugural season in the competition.
The 31-year-old has been a mainstay at Melbourne City since 2015, making over 50 appearances and helping the side to four Championships and two Premierships, both of which were achieved with undefeated seasons.
Vlajnic, who has represented the Serbia national team, is eager for a new start and to be part of Western United’s first ever women’s team.
“I am incredibly excited to join Western United this season. As a new team joining the league, we have an amazing opportunity to set a new benchmark for women’s football here in Australia,” she said.
“An inaugural year means we have the ability to create something special, and that’s pretty exciting.”
Being a fan favourite at Melbourne City and playing every season at the club since its inception, Vlajnic is looking forward to a new challenge and hopes to bring her experience with her to the West.
“A new challenge is always exciting. I hope this season I can be the type of teammate that instils success within the group through resilience, effort, growth and leadership,” she said.
“I am so grateful for the success I have already achieved but I’m ready for more in the Green and Black.”
In addition to her A-League Women exploits, Vlajnic has also had a strong career in NPLW Victoria where she was a foundation player at Calder United, helping the side secure a Championship and Premiership double in 2016, before a number of years at Bulleen Lions.
Western United Head Coach Mark Torcaso is excited to work with Vlajnic again and is confident she will have a strong impact on the group.
“TJ has been a stalwart in Australian football and having her join us and want to be a part of our project is really important,” he said.
“The entire group will be able to lean on her experience and all of the success that she has had, but she still has the hunger to continue to achieve more with us at Western United and her drive and leadership will be able to push the rest of the players throughout the year.
“I’ve known TJ for some time and I am really delighted to work with her again, and I’m sure she will have a big impact on our group.”
A versatile and dependable player, Vlajnic can play in either full-back position or even higher up on the wing when needed with a strong mix of defensive and attacking strengths making her dangerous in any position.
Vlajnic becomes United’s 15th signing as the Club continues to fill its inaugural A-League Women side ahead of the beginning of pre-season in October.
