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 |
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.
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