Western United is continuing to shape its inaugural Liberty A-League Women squad, confirming attacker Hannah Keane as the team’s first international player.
The 29-year-old hails from Sacramento in the United States and arrives with great pedigree in Europe, having played in the UEFA Women’s Champions League and top divisions in Germany, Portugal and Spain.
A Portuguese Cup winner with SC Braga, Keane joins United having played for SC Huelva last season in Spain’s top flight, where she scored five league goals and helped the team to the Cup final.
Keane said she feels privileged to be a part of history and is eager to get to work and create something special on the pitch.
“I feel honoured. I’ve been following Western’s progress as a Club and I really appreciate the work they’ve put in to give young women a pathway in professional soccer,” she said.
“I’ve always wanted to be a part of something like this and getting this opportunity means a lot to me.
“I’m extremely excited. I’m ready to learn new things and I cannot wait for the season to start and for all the hard work by the supporters, Club and players to pay off.”
Keane is returning to Victoria after a brief stint with Alamein FC in NPLW in 2016, and she believes she has unfinished business to attend to.
“After playing in Australia in 2016, I left feeling like I had unfinished business with the A-League. All the leagues I’ve played in since then have shaped me into a more determined and competitive player,” she said.
“I want to achieve as much as possible and help the Club and the fans have an amazing inaugural season in the A-League Women.”
Western United Women’s Head Coach Mark Torcaso said Keane will bring experience to the side, but above all else her overwhelming quality up front will help the team score goals.
“We’re really pleased to bring Hannah into the program as our first ever international signing. Her overseas experience will be huge for us,” he said.
“She’ll come with a lot of high-level football under her belt and with the ability to be a real game-changer for us up front with her quality, size and strength.
“She’s a player I’ve admired for some time and I’m excited to work with her now and have her help us chase success in the A-League Women.”
An imposing striker, Keane has a mixture of qualities that make her a complete forward, with precision finishing and predatory instincts in the box coupled with creativity and expert delivery to set up her teammates.
Keane joins 19-year-old Calder United star Alana Cerne as the Club’s first two A-League Women signings ahead of the Green and Black’s debut season in the competition.
