Filipinas midfielder Jaclyn Sawicki has signed with a professional club overseas, making her the second international player to join A-League Women’s side in Australia.
Sawicki, 29, was part of the historic Philippine women’s football team that won the country’s first-ever AFF Women’s Championship last month.
The Canadian native footballer, who was born to a Filipina mother and a Polish father, expressed excitement for starting another chapter in her football career, having played for different stints in Sweden, Japan, and Canada itself.
“I am beyond excited to join Western United in the inaugural season for the women’s side,” said Sawicki as cited in Western United’s website.
“I can’t wait to meet and begin working with the rest of the squad, and hopefully this group can set the tone and pave the way for those players who will come after us in this club.”
Sawicki will be joining American attacker Hannah Keane as the first two international players to be part of Western United in the hopes of bolstering its roster as the season begins in November.
The Filipinas midfielder added that moving to Australia, together with her mother, has been part of their plan as she continues to prosper as a professional footballer.
She said joining Western United will be able to give her the “platform to learn and grow as both a player and individually.”
“We found out Australia was one of the hosting nations for the World Cup in 2023 and now, I am currently fighting for a roster spot,” added Sawicki.
“My first camp with the was also in Australia and now I’m going to get settled in here leading up to the tournament so it is all just kind of a funny coincidence.”
Meanwhile, Western United head coach Mark Torcaso believes that Sawicki will be a good addition to the team, citing her being under the tutelage of Alen Stajcic with the Filipinas.
“We’ve certainly taken notice and identified Jaclyn as someone that will bring a lot of quality into our midfield. With her big-game experience and the level she’s played at overseas, she’ll be a big part of our team and I can’t wait to work with her,” added Torcaso.