Melbourne Victory has signed its second overseas player for the upcoming W-League season.
Melbourne Victory has signed its second overseas player for the upcoming W-League season, with American Christina Gibbons joining the team.
The 22-year-old joins on loan from FC Kansas City in the NWSL, where she was a first round selection in the 2017 NWSL College Draft and has represented the USA at Under 20 and Under 23 level.
“She’s actually a full-back that (Kansas City) have converted into a six and played as that midfielder all season,” W-League coach Jeff Hopkins explained of Gibbons.
“What she’s got from playing in that full-back position is that she’s good defensively and she’s mobile as well.”
A common theme through recent signing announcements has been versatility, and Gibbons fits the bill perfectly.
“She’s a good passer of the ball and her all-round game is really good, so if we played her in a three-player midfield I think she could almost play in any of the roles,” Hopkins said.
“But we’ve predominantly got her to play as a six, as a defensive midfielder and also to support the back four in playing out and starting things from the back.
“I’m quite excited about seeing her because she’s a young player who’s enthusiastic to come over.”
There are big wraps on Gibbons, who has spent time in camp with the senior USA national team.
“I think she could be one that comes through under the radar this season, with not many people knowing about her.”
Victory’s W-League season begins with a home game against Canberra United at Epping Stadium on Saturday, October 28.
Current W-League squad
Laura Alleway, Melina Ayres, Mindy Barbieri, Angela Beard, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Casey Dumont (GK), Natasha Dowie, Christina Gibbons, Alexandra Gummer, Gulcan Koca, Annabel Martin, Bethany Mason-Jones (GK), Laura Spiranovic
