Sydney FC have signed Teigan Collister (L) and Rola Badawiya (R) as mid-season signings. (Photo: Sydney FC)
Sydney FC has made two key mid-season signings securing forwards Teigan Collister and Rola Badawiya for the remainder of the season.
The Sky Blues have gone out and signed two new versatile forwards for the remainder of the 2022-23 Liberty A-League season. Teigan Collister and Rola Badawiya will join the squad after the departure of Remy Siemsen at the end of last year.
Both players will be crucial as Sydney attempt to achieve their third consecutive premiership win and fourth championship win this season.
This week Sydney FC will come up against second-place Western United. Led by Chole Logarzo, The expansion team is yet to draw or lose a game. They sit equal with the Sky Blues on 18 points but have played one less game than them.
The match on Wednesday night will be a tough encounter for both clubs. For Western United, it will be their first significant test of the 2022-23 season. While Sydney FC will be looking to show United why they have been the best club in the league for the past five years.
Rola Badawiya enters the squad from Sydney University where she had a breakout season last year. This included her winning the NPL New South Wales Women’s Player of the Year.
Originally born in the United States, this became Badawiya’s first professional contract in the A-League. However, she has previously played professionally overseas for a number of clubs. These include Roma and California Baptist University.
“Excited doesn’t even begin to describe how I am feeling right now,” Badawiya said.
“I am so grateful for this opportunity, there are a lot of people who would like to be in my position right now and it’s a massive achievement for me.”
“I’m so excited to be playing alongside all these fantastic players and the Matildas in this Sydney FC squad. I don’t think it has hit me how big this game is on Wednesday.”
“It’s not only my first game with Sydney FC, but it’s a massive game for the whole club. It will be an amazing game to be a part of and hopefully, I can get on and do some great things.”
Collister joins the squad from Sydney Olympic in the NPL and has previously played for the Newcastle Jets and Western Sydney Wanderers. Having played in the Liberty A-League for five seasons, she knows what to expect from the rest of the clubs.
During her time in the A-League, she appeared in 44 games, scoring five times. A winger by trade she will mainly be used as a substitute for Cortnee Vine and Princess Ibini. The 22-year-old is not shy to the big games having represented Australia at the Under 20s level. She will also wear the converted No.7 jersey.
“Sydney FC has had the best women’s team in the country consistently over the course of the Liberty A-League, so it is an honour to be joining this club,” Collister said.
“I’m looking forward to how I can develop my game, especially under Ante Juric and his coaching staff, as well as working with these top-quality players.”
“I want to win trophies and Sydney FC is the club and squad who have the best chance of doing this.”
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Head coach Ante Juric spoke to the media about the two new additions to the squad. Juric is confident both players will provide him with extra options going into the second half of the season as they look to win the championship yet again.
“Teigan (Collister) is strong and has pace and power and she’s a great addition to this squad. She can play anywhere across the front three which gives me great options from an attacking sense,” Juric said.
“She will work hard for the team, she gets on with the job, and is an excellent fit for our team culture.”
“Rola (Badawiya) is also a solid performer having won the NPL Player of the Year and she has a lot of attributes that suit us in the attacking third,” he said.
“She will also fit in with our great culture as she has been training with us for around two months and is comfortable with what we do.”
Sydney FC will take on Western United at City Vista Recreation Reserve Pitch 1 at 17:00 AEDT on Wednesday with the winner guaranteed the first spot on the table.
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