Perth Glory have signed New Zealand international striker Grace Jale ahead of the 2023-24 Liberty A-League season.
The 24-year-old arrives in the West fresh from taking part in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, where she made two appearances for the Football Ferns as the tournament co-hosts bowed out at the group stage.
Jale brings height, physical prowess and an eye for goal to the Glory squad, honed over the past two A-League Women seasons at Wellington Phoenix and Canberra United.
With 19 international caps to her name to go with nine goals and seven assists scored in 27 A-League Women appearances since 2021, Jale is a significant addition to Glory’s attacking ranks.
Jale has expressed her intent to hunt silverware with Glory this season after the club finished sixth on the table in 2022-23.
“I’m stoked to be signing for Glory,” she said.
“I’m very excited to be working with a new group of coaches and players in the beautiful city of Perth.
“I’d like to learn and grow as a footballer and as a person for the team and I’m hoping for nothing less than a trophy at the end of the season.”
Epakis added: “Grace is a fantastic player who has proved herself as a goal scorer and real attacking threat in the competition over the past two seasons.
“She has fantastic attributes and has many different aspects and strengths that we will certainly benefit from.
“We want to be an attacking and aggressive team and she will be key to that.
“Moreover, she comes to Perth off the back of an historic Women’s World Cup campaign with New Zealand and I know she is primed and focused to come to the club and utilise her experiences from the past few months.
“I really believe in Grace and what she can bring to our team and I know that she will excite our supporters.”
