Jacynta Prema de Nieva Galabadaarachchi (born 6 June 2001), also known as Jacynta Gala,[1][2] is an Australian professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Sporting CP and the Australia women's national under-20 team.
 Galabadaarachchi in 2020 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Jacynta Prema de Nieva Galabadaarachchi | ||
| Date of birth | 6 June 2001 | ||
| Place of birth | Dandenong, Australia | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Sporting Portugal | ||
| Number | 8 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Kingston City | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2016–2017 | Melbourne City | 5 | (0) |
| 2018 | Alamein FC | – | (–) |
| 2018–2019 | Perth Glory | 4 | (0) |
| 2019–2020 | West Ham United | 11 | (0) |
| 2020–2021 | Napoli | 4 | (0) |
| 2021–2023 | Celtic | 25 | (15) |
| 2023– | Sporting | 0 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2016–2018 | Australia U17 | ||
| 2018 | Australia U20 | 1 | (0) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 1 May 2023 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 31 October 2018 | |||
Early life edit
Galabadaarachchi began playing soccer at age five after watching her brother play. She was later invited to Manchester City W.F.C. Academy and spent eight weeks training with the team.[3] At age 14, her request to play for an under-15 boys premier league team was denied by Football Federation Victoria; the decision was later overturned.[4]
Club career edit
Melbourne City, 2016–2017 edit
In October 2016 at age 15, Galabadaarachchi signed with Melbourne City for the 2016–17 season,[5] and made five appearances for the club,[6] playing primarily as a striker. After getting limited playing time at Melbourne City, Galabadaarachchi went to England and trained with various professional teams over there. Despite offers she was unable to sign a pro contract as she was under 18.[7]
Perth Glory, 2018–2019 edit
Galabadaarachchi returned to Australia and signed with Perth Glory for the 2018–19 W-League season.[8]
West Ham United, 2019–2020 edit
In July 2019, Galabadaarachchi secured a move to English FA WSL side West Ham United.[9]
Napoli, 2020–2021 edit
Galabadaarachchi signed on loan with Italian team Napoli in September 2020.[10]
Celtic, 2021–2023 edit
Galabadaarachchi signed for SWPL side Celtic in February 2021.[11] In July 2023, Celtic confirmed that Galabadaarachchi would leave the club.[12]
Sporting CP, 2023–present edit
She signed for Portuguese team Sporting CP in July 2023.[13]
International career edit
Galabadaarachchi is eligible to represent Australia, Sri Lanka, Argentina and Italy in international football,[14][15] and has represented the Australian Under-17 team. In February 2017, she was called up for the Matildas for training camp ahead of the 2017 Algarve Cup.[16][17]
Personal life edit
She has a relationship with Swedish footballer Carl Starfelt.[18][19]
Career statistics edit
Club edit
- As of 13 July 2020[20]
| Club | Season | League | National Cup[a] | League Cup[b] | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Melbourne City | 2016–17 | W-League | 5 | 0 | — | — | 5 | 0 | ||
| Perth Glory | 2018–19 | 4 | 0 | — | — | 4 | 0 | |||
| West Ham United | 2019–20 | FA WSL | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 17 | 0 |
| Career total | 20 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 26 | 0 | ||
- ^ Includes FA Cup
- ^ Includes League Cup
Honours edit
- Melbourne City
- Celtic
- SWPL League Cup: 2022,[21] 2023[22]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "Jacynta Gala vai estrear-se em Alvalade: "Estou entusiasmada por jogar no estádio!"". www.record.pt (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 26 November 2023.
- ^ "Jacynta Gala contratada pelo Sporting para o futebol feminino". SAPO Desporto (in Portuguese). Retrieved 26 November 2023.
- ^ Talmage, Kerry (13 April 2016). "The 14-year-old girl compared to star Messi". BeSoccer. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- ^ Bailey, Megan (10 April 2016). "Pakenham soccer star Jacynta Galabadaarachchi gets green light from Football Federation Victoria to play with the boys". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- ^ "City re-signs four W-League champions". Melbourne City FC. 6 October 2016. Archived from the original on 24 September 2017. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- ^ J. Galabadaarachchi at Soccerway. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- ^ "New Glory attacker nearly signed for English heavyweights". 7 September 2018. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
- ^ Gareth Morgan (6 September 2018). "Glory snap up exciting attacker". Perth Glory FC. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
- ^ "Jacynta Galabadaarachchi: West Ham United Women sign Australian forward". BBC. 19 July 2019.
- ^ "UFFICIALE – Napoli femminile, dal West Ham arriva l'australiana Galabadaarachchi". www.calcionapoli24.it (in Italian). 18 September 2020. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
- ^ "Jacynta Galabadaarachchi". Celtic F.C.
- ^ @CelticFCWomen (2 July 2023). "CelticFC Women can confirm Jacynta is leaving the club following a successful two and a half years with the Hoops" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Abola.pt (11 July 2023). "Futebol Feminino Oficial: Sporting contrata Jacynta Galabadaarachchi! (não, não é gralha) | Abola.pt". Abola.pt. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
- ^ Harrington, Anna. "WILL GALABADAARACHCHI GET HER MATILDAS DEBUT?". The Women's Game. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
- ^ Andrew Southwick (2 May 2022). "Celtic's award winning Aussie star on the rise… but mum wants her to play for Argentina". Keepup.com.
- ^ "Melbourne City teenage sensation Jacynta Galabadaarachchi named in Matildas squad". news.com.au. News Corp Australia. 14 February 2017. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- ^ Davutovic, David (16 February 2017). "Matildas teenage prodigy Jacynta Galabadaarachchi living the dream". The Courier-Mail. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- ^ "A namorada saiu para o Sporting, agora ele também quer deixar o Celtic". CNN Portugal (in Portuguese). Retrieved 26 November 2023.
- ^ "Jacynta Gala e a transferência do namorado que não foi por amor: "Quatro horas e meia de carro é mais do que um voo para a Escócia"". www.record.pt (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 26 November 2023.
- ^ "Australia – J. Galabadaarachchi – Profile with news, career statistics and history – Soccerway". int.soccerway.com.
- ^ "#SWPLCup: Glasgow City 0–1 Celtic". Women’s Premier League. Archived from the original on 6 March 2022. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
- ^ "Scottish Women's Cup: Celtic retain trophy by beating Rangers in historic Hampden final". Sky Sports. 28 May 2023.
Further reading edit
- Grainey, Timothy (2012), Beyond Bend It Like Beckham: The Global Phenomenon of Women's Soccer, University of Nebraska Press, ISBN 0803240368
- Stewart, Barbara (2012), Women's Soccer: The Passionate Game, Greystone Books, ISBN 1926812603
External links edit
- J. Galabadaarachchi at Soccerway
- Jacynta Galabadaarachchi on Instagram