Perth Glory is delighted to confirm that midfielders Sarah Cain and Sofia Sakalis have signed with the club.
21-year-old Cain, who is on board for the Westfield W-League 2021/22 Season, made six appearances for Melbourne City in what was her maiden W-League campaign last year, while Australia Under-17 and Under-20 representative Sakalis (19) has penned a long-term deal having also previously represented City for whom she debuted in 2017/18.
Both players are excited at the prospect of opening a new chapter in their respective careers here in the West.
“I’ve heard a lot of great things about the environment at Perth,” said Cain.
“I’m also very excited to be working under Alex Epakis [Head Coach] because he has such strong plans and aspirations for the team; that’s something I can’t wait to be a part of.
“I want to keep developing as a footballer, be in an environment where I can get the most out of myself as a player and help the team to achieve our goals.”
Those sentiments were echoed by Sakalis.
“I’m super-excited to be joining Perth Glory and working with Alex,” she said.
“His vision and the style of football he wants to play really excited me and I’m eager and ready for a new challenge and a new environment that will allow me to grow into the player I want to become.
“I think Alex is building something exceptional and his long-term vision has really re-ignited my passion for the game.”
Epakis, meanwhile, is thrilled to have the duo on board for 2021/22 and is confident that they will make a major impact in purple.
“Sarah has stood out as someone with great energy and with a strong understanding of her position,” he said.
“She is a very intelligent player with excellent positioning and passing skills which are important attributes in terms of the way we want to play this season.
“I have been tracking her for some time and she certainly has the determination to be part of a progressive environment and help the team succeed.
“I am really looking forward to working with Sarah and am expecting her to be a real asset for the team this season.
“With Sofia, those who have tracked the women’s game over recent years will be very familiar with her attacking talents and overall ability as an attacking midfielder.
“Having been involved in Melbourne City’s W-League set-up since the age of 13, making her W-League debut at 15 and representing Australia across various youth levels, it is clear that she has great qualities.
“Sofia has committed for the next few seasons to our project and is really looking forward to playing a big part in helping the team work towards our goals, as well as evolving and further developing her own game.”
Glory CEO Tony Pignata believes that Cain and Sakalis are another two new recruits about whom the club’s Members and fans should be excited.
“We are really happy to have signed Sarah and Sofia,” he said.
“The fact that we are continuing to secure young talent from across the country clearly illustrates the direction the club is moving in and the squad we are assembling is one which I’m confident will make a major impact in the W-League next season.”
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