Former Matilda and experienced Liberty A-League defender Kim Carroll has signed on for her seventh season at Perth Glory.
The 34-year-old and 58-times-capped Matilda will go again in the 2022-23 ALW season under Glory head coach Alex Epakis, who in his third season at the helm of the club is targeting a surge into the top four.
Carroll says conversations with the Glory boss made clear the ambitious goals for the club in 2022-23, and helped convince her to sign on for another campaign.
“I’m still enjoying playing and challenging myself in the league,” Carroll told club media. “The competitiveness is still there.
“Last year we had a fairly successful year with huge improvements. (Epakis) had more time to recruit and get a solid squad together and we gelled well together considering we were essentially away for the entire season.
“From conversations I’ve had with Alex since last season, he’s keen to improve us as players and go that little bit further and get into the top four next season. He’s kept the squad together as much as possible, so we’ll all be familiar with each other and know how he wants us to play and what the expectations are.
“No-one has a safe spot anymore and that is a good thing to have in a team.
“It creates a competitive training environment which in turn leads into the games.”
Perth went close to booking a spot in the finals last season against the odds, finishing level on points with fourth-placed Melbourne Victory – the eventual Champions – with only goal difference separating the two sides.
Epakis says retaining the services of Carroll will go a long way to supporting his side’s push to bigger and better things in 2022-23.
“I am really pleased to have Kim re-sign for the upcoming ALW season,” he said.
“She is one of the most experienced and proven players in the competition and having returned to the club last season, made an instant impact both on and off the field.
“The team and I certainly benefited from her level of on-field performance and her overall experience.
“Moreover, she has strong leadership qualities and a really good understanding of the game and the style of play we work towards each week.
“I look forward to working with her again this season and I know she is very determined and committed to helping us progress further as a team.”
