Sasha Grove will add to Western United’s growing list of talented youngsters with the Green and Black laying down another marker in the Liberty A-League Women, securing the Australian Under-23 international full-back for the next two seasons.
The 19-year-old has emerged as a star in the competition since she provided an assist on her debut just a week after turning 16 in January 2021.
Already with 47 appearances to her name at such a young age, Grove has been a regular starter for the last two seasons at Canberra United and featured prominently in the national team set-up.
In December, Grove scored in a 3-1 win for the Young Matildas against China, and just a few months later she played almost every minute of the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup, helping Australia to a bronze medal.
Grove’s strength is in her ferocity and speed both with and without the ball, seeing her bomb up and down the touchline and take the game to any opponent that stands in her way.
It is that same determination and hunger that brings Grove to Ironbark Fields, with the youngster eager to get to work and help the Club chase success in the Liberty A-League.
“For such a young club, Western has proven itself as a fierce competitor and I am beyond excited to be a part of that team culture,” she said.
“I’m equally excited to play in Tarneit in front of an explosive crowd of supporters and play my best football for them and for my team.
“Signing a two-year deal has me motivated to continue the legacy of high performance here and to continue to learn and develop alongside such hard-working and talented teammates.”
Western United head coach Kat Smith is ecstatic with Grove’s capture, hailing her as a fan-favourite in waiting in the West.
“Sasha is going to be an instant hit with our fans because of the way she plays and the way she will represent our Club and our people in Tarneit,” she said.
“No challenge is ever too much for Sasha in a game, her competitive edge is second to none alongside her superb quality both in and out of possession.
“This is also another sign of our intent in this competition, securing one of Australia’s brightest young talents for multiple years. I’m so looking forward to seeing Sasha integrate into our team and endear herself to the fans at Ironbark Fields.”
Grove joins fellow Australian Under-23 international Chloe Lincoln in joining Western United ahead of the 2024/25 season and will be eager to join her new teammates in pre-season training later this year.
