Westfield Matildas defender Ellie Carpenter has joined Melbourne City.
The 19-year-old joins the Westfield W-League outfit on a one-year loan deal from National Women's Soccer League heavyweights Portland Thorns.
Despite her teenage years, Carpenter is an experienced Australian international with 35 caps for the national team, who featured at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup.
She was the youngest Australian Olympian at the 2016 Rio Olympics, and the youngest ever female footballer to compete at the Olympic Games.
At just 18, Carpenter became the youngest player to start an NWSL match when she made her debut for Portland, with whom she became the competition's youngest ever goal scorer.
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Born in Cowra, the fullback made her Westfield W-League debut for Western Sydney Wanderers at 15 before switching to Canberra United in 2017.
"We are extremely pleased to have a player of Ellie’s calibre on board for the upcoming W-League season," said City Director of Football, Michael Petrillo.
“To be able to bring a young but experienced regular Matilda into our squad gives us a tremendous boost ahead of the season.
“Ellie brings experience beyond her years and is a very intelligent footballer that utilises her great endurance, speed and ability to perform under pressure.”
“I’m looking forward to a new challenge and the opportunity to further develop my game at Melbourne City," added Carpenter.
“It’s important to be surrounded by a number of internationals, including several of my Matildas teammates, so I can continue to move forwards as a footballer and be challenged week in and week out.
“I’m extremely excited to see what the season will bring and can’t wait to get started.
