Having emerged as one of the Liberty A-League Women’s best young players, Alana Cerne will continue her development with Western United in 2023/24.
The 20-year-old initially signed a two-year deal ahead of the Western United’s inaugural Liberty A-League campaign, marking her commitment to the Club’s early growth.
Speaking ahead of the prospect of a second season at the Club, Cerne said she is eager to prove that season one was just the beginning for both herself and the entire team.
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“I’m incredibly eager. We had such an amazing inaugural season and we cannot wait to show everyone what we have in store for our second season,” she said.
“Even though we had an incredible and unforgettable first season, I strongly believe that we still have so much to achieve. I’m ready and I’m extremely motivated, excited is an understatement.”
Western United General Manager of Football Mal Impiombato said the Club’s willingness to tie Cerne down to a two-year deal from the beginning showed her importance to the program.
“Alana has really been the perfect story for our birth in the A-League Women – a young, talented player from the West who became our first ever signing and then flourished in her first professional season,” he said.
“We knew that Alana had all the qualities to play at this level and she showed in a very short period that she is one of the most talented young Australian players in the A-League Women.
“We are extremely pleased that Alana will continue her development as a footballer and a person in our environment, and we are excited to watch her continue to grow.”
Cerne went on to play in 19 out of 20 matches in her first ever season in professional football last term, with 18 of those appearances coming from the start.
Her form earned her a list of accolades the team’s Young Player of the Season award – which she shared with Kahli Johnson – and a first ever international camp with the Australia Under 23’s.
Earmarked for the next generation following the Matildas’ brilliant success at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Cerne has also been part of the Future Matildas program and is continuing to develop in a high performance environment around the national team.
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That has made for a busy off-season period for Cerne, who has also returned to Calder United in NPLW Victoria with a series of top performances while maintaining her sharpness over the break.
Cerne has reflected the Club’s ambition in the women’s game and will remain one of the centrepieces around which United continues to develop into the future.
