Western United has pulled off another coup in the Liberty A-League Women by completing the signing of Angie Beard from Danish club Fortuna Hjørring.
The 25-year-old has signed a two-year deal with the Green and Black and brings significant quality and experience into the side.
Beard has 80 games of Liberty A-League experience – 29 with her hometown Brisbane Roar and 51 with Melbourne Victory, where she was a Championship-winning captain in 2021.
Upon returning to the Liberty A-League, the versatile left-footer said she is thrilled to join the project at Western United.
“I’m excited to be here with the girls. Seeing what Mark (Torcaso) and Amanda (Stella) are doing with Western is really inspiring,” she said.
“It’s always good to aim for more silverware and more achievements and this team is a very talented group. I think the team chemistry and what they’re creating on the field and the environment off the field is very attractive for me.
“I’m loving Australian football right now and I’m loving being back in Australia, so hopefully it’s a good fit for both of us.”
Beard has worked with Western United Head Coach Mark Torcaso in the past when she starred in Calder United’s 2019 NPLW Victoria treble-winning team.
Torcaso said he is eager to work with Beard again and that the signing was another important move as United seeks to continue its early momentum in the Liberty A-League.
“The fact that Angie wanted to come here and the fact that we are able to go out and get her is another indication of our ambition in this competition,” he said.
“Angie has been a star in this league already, she’s had big experience overseas and she is going to be a massive player for us and for our league.
“Her quality as a player is important but her quality as a person is even more vital. I’m delighted and honoured to be able to work with her again and I can’t wait for our fans to see her in action.”
Beard has also played in the top flight in Iceland and has been capped three times by the Matildas, debuting against the Republic of Ireland in 2021.
Her two seasons at Fortuna resulted in second and third-placed finishes in the league and a Danish Cup title in May 2022.
Beard takes the No.23 jersey and will hope to make her debut with United facing two games in four days.
