The Newcastle Jets have been boosted by the signing of home-grown Matildas midfielder Emily van Egmond ahead of their first home game of the A-League Women's season at McDonald Jones Stadium on Friday afternoon.
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The 28-year-old has made 110 appearances for the Matildas, including the full 90 minutes of last week's entertaining 1-1 draw with world superpowers USA in front of 20,495 screaming fans in Newcastle.
She is a Jets original and has signed with Newcastle on a short-term deal ahead of the 2022 AFC Asian Women's Cup in India next month.
Van Egmond was just 15 when she played with the Jets in the first season of the W-League in 2008-09. She played for her home-town club again between 2011 and 2014 before returning for the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons. The Jets made the finals in the 2017-18 season after a nine-year absence.
Van Egmond plays in the National Women's Soccer League in the United States and has played in Europe and with West Ham United in English Women's Super League.
She has been training in Newcastle and with the Jets since the 2021 NWSL season finished and is looking to stay match fit ahead of the Asian Women's Cup.
Jets coach Ash Wilson has already brought in two international players in American Elizabeth Eddy and Norwegian Marie Dolvik Markussen as the club eyes a return to finals football this A-League Women's campaign.
"Emily is a world-class player and Newcastle is her home, so to be able to have her put on the Jets jersey again is exciting for the community and the club," Wilson said.
"She brings so much to the team in terms of experience, technical and tactical quality and a winning mentality."
Van Egmond will start in midfield for the Jets when they line up against newcomers Wellington Phoenix in the first game of a club double-header on Friday.
The women kick off at 5.05pm and the men at 7.45pm.
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Renee Valentine
Renee Valentine is a sports journalist with more than 20 years of experience in Newcastle. She is passionate about increasing the visibility of sportswomen in the media. Got a sports story, email Renee at r.valentine@newcastleherald.com.au
Renee Valentine is a sports journalist with more than 20 years of experience in Newcastle. She is passionate about increasing the visibility of sportswomen in the media. Got a sports story, email Renee at r.valentine@newcastleherald.com.au
