Aspiring Matildas bolter nets Juventus move
George Clarke |
Would-be Matildas bolter Annalise Rasmussen has been rewarded for a breakout A-League Women season after securing a move to European giants Juventus.
The 20-year-old striker has been sold to the Italian side -where Matildas coach Joe Montemurro spent three seasons – after netting nine goals in 13 games for the Central Coast Mariners.
The Mariners say Rasmussen, who is joint leader of the golden boot race with Melbourne City’s Holly McNamara, was sold for a club record fee.
“This is an incredible opportunity to test myself against the world’s best and I want to do everything I can to make my family, friends and the Central Coast proud,” Rasmussen said in a statement.
“While I won’t be with the girls for the rest of the season, I’ll be following them from Europe and hoping they can defend the Championship we worked so hard for last season.”
Rasmussen remains uncapped at senior international level, but her performances and latest move will surely have caught Montemurro’s attention ahead of next month’s Asian Cup.
Montemurro is due to name his squad for the tournament on February 19.
Rasmussen’s final game for the Mariners was a 2-2 draw against Brisbane Roar last Friday where she bagged a brace to keep her side in the top six.
“While we’re sad to see Annalise depart the Mariners, this is an exciting opportunity for yet another Central Coast Mariners Academy graduate to not only progress her career in Europe, but have exposure on the global stage with a club like Juventus,” said Mariners sporting director Matt Simon.
AAP
