Western United has secured a major coup ahead of its second season in the Liberty A-League Women, acquiring star American attacker Catherine Zimmerman.
The 29-year-old joins from rivals Melbourne Victory where she has forged a reputation as one of the competition’s deadliest and most explosive attacking players.
Across three seasons at Victory, Zimmerman has racked up 14 goals in 37 appearances and won consecutive Championships in 2021 and 2022, scoring in the latter year’s Grand Final.
While injuries interrupted much of Zimmerman’s 2022/23 campaign, her devastating quality was on show with a 40-yard blast against Adelaide United providing one of the competition’s great highlights.
Eager to make the switch across Victoria, Zimmerman is raring to get started and help to take Western United to another level in the Liberty A-League.
“I’m super excited to be joining Western United this season. I’ve had the privilege of playing with a lot of these girls when I first came to Australia so I’m really looking forward to sharing the field with them again,” she said.
“The team made a huge statement last year, and if I know anything about these girls it’s that they’re all about consistency.
“I believe I have that same mentality and with my few years of experience in the league and my relationship with the girls, I’m inspired to add something special to the group so we can have another successful season.”
Western United Head Coach Mark Torcaso, who worked with Zimmerman throughout a trophy-laden period at Calder United, said Zimmerman’s qualities would perfect the Green and Black’s attacking stocks.
“Zim has been a star in this league for the last couple of years and she will add so much quality into the final third for us,” he said.
“Her finishing is up there with the very best, she has great pace and skill on the ball and she is a brilliant person who already has a strong connection with a number of our players and staff, so she will fit seamlessly into our group.
“I’ve known Zim for a long time and it will be special to reunite with her now in the A-League. I can’t wait to work with her again and I can’t wait for our fans to see what she can do.”
Zimmerman will join a stacked Western United front line which includes compatriot Hannah Keane, who won the Liberty A-League Golden Boot last season, and young gun Kahli Johnson.
United’s new star recruit will be ready to join the group for the beginning of pre-season as Western United looks to build on its outstanding debut campaign in the Liberty A-League.
