Jaclyn Sawicki will depart Western United ahead of the 2024/25 Liberty A-League Women season to take up an overseas opportunity, the Club has announced.
The 31-year-old will go down in Western United history as the Club’s inaugural Liberty A-League captain, leading the team out in the Grand Final in April 2023.
The Philippines international remained a co-captain alongside Chloe Logarzo last season and had the armband for United’s first ever match at Ironbark Fields in Tarneit.
Sawicki departs with 35 appearances to her name – the joint fifth-most in United’s history – and scored one goal in a win against Central Coast Mariners in February 2024.
Saying goodbye with only positive memories, Sawicki said her chapter at Western United would remain with her forever.
“All the people of Western United – I just want to give you a big, big thank you from the bottom of my heart. I have absolutely loved my two years here,” she said.
“The fans, all the staff and the coaches, and of course the players. I am extremely honoured to have been the inaugural captain. I love the people of this club so much, they’ve become my Australian family. I’m going to miss it, it’s bitter sweet but I’m very grateful for the time I’ve had here.”
Western United General Manager of Football Mal Impiombato praised Sawicki’s impact as a foundation player and key pillar upon which the Club’s women’s program has been built.
“Jackie has played an integral part in our early success in the Liberty A-League and on behalf of everyone at our Club, I wish to thank her for her incredible contribution,” he said.
“Her quality on the pitch and her leadership off it has helped set the foundations for our women’s program and her effect on the Club will live in our history books forever.
“Jackie will always hold a special place in our Club history and we wish her every success in her future endeavours.”
As well as her exploits in the Green and Black jersey, Sawicki has shone for the Philippines across the past two years and played a key role at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Sawicki’s legacy will live on at the Club, and everyone at Western United wishes her all the very best in the next steps of her footballing journey.
Western United will continue to build its Liberty A-League squad with pre-season fast approaching ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.
