With the 2024/25 Seasons coming to a close, we reflect on the off-season movements, achievements, and news so far as we look towards a period of renewal and growth heading into 2025/26.
Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s
New Head Coach at the Helm:
Earlier this week, Adelaide United confirmed the appointment of Airton Andrioli as the Club’s new Men’s Head Coach on a two-year deal, with the option of a third.
A highly respected figure in South Australian football, Andrioli steps into the role after serving as Adelaide United’s Head of Youth Football since 2020, while also working as one of the assistant coaches in the men’s program during that period.
Andrioli’s work in youth development has been instrumental to the Club’s recent success. He has overseen the progression of several current and former first-team players, including Nestory Irankunda, Luka Jovanović, Ethan Alagich, Ryan White, Harry Crawford, and Amlani Tatu, Giuseppe Bovalina, Steven Hall and Alex Popović to name just a few.
Returning Red:
Adelaide United is delighted to announce the return of former captain and club legend, Craig Goodwin, who has signed a three-year contract with the Reds.
After a second stint abroad with Saudi Arabian side Al-Wehda, where he scored 12 goals and 10 assists in 49 appearances, Goodwin is returning home to the Club where he carved his name into South Australian football history.
Retiring Reds:
Club legends Isaías Sánchez and Javier ‘Javi’ López Rodríguez have officially announced their retirement from professional football, marking the end of an era for two of the most influential and beloved figures in Reds’ history.
The Spanish duo, who combined for nearly 400 appearances for the Club and brought a wealth of experience, professionalism, and passion to Coopers Stadium, will both remain at Adelaide United in coaching capacities, with further details to be announced in the off-season.
Player Departures:
Senior players, Ryan Tunnicliffe, Jordan Elsey, and Josh Cavallo will depart the club at the conclusion of their contracts on 1 July.
Ryan Tunnicliffe:
Tunnicliffe departs after he joined the Reds ahead of the 2023/24 campaign from English League One outfit Portsmouth. A graduate of the famed Manchester United academy, Ryan brought a wealth of experience and composure to the Club.
Across two seasons, he made 27 appearances – 23 in the A-League Men and four in the Australia Cup – and scored a memorable goal in just his second outing, against Melbourne City.
Jordan Elsey:
A proud product of South Australian football, Elsey made 145 appearances for the Reds and scored seven goals during his tenure. A true servant of the Club, he was a key figure in Adelaide United’s historic 2015/16 Premiership and Championship-winning side, and also lifted the Australia Cup (formerly FFA Cup) twice, in 2018 and 2019.
This season, he made four appearances, scoring once in the thrilling 4-4 draw against Auckland FC.
Josh Cavallo:
Since arriving in Adelaide in 2021, Cavallo has been more than just a footballer – he’s become a symbol of courage, authenticity, and positive change, leaving a legacy that transcends the game.
Over five seasons with the Reds, Josh made 49 competitive appearances and contributed with professionalism and versatility, playing both at left back and in midfield. He was also recognised early in his career as the A-League Rising Star in the 2020/21 season, a testament to his talent and potential on the pitch.
NPL Updates:
Our NPL Side is currently in-season, eleven rounds in and sitting second on the ladder. Various A-League players with play-on with the NPL side throughout the A-League off-season to maintain match fitness and build up required minutes.
Harry Crawford, Fabian Talladira, and Ethan Cox are all currently on international duty. They will report for the first day of pre-season on 1 July, following a short break.
Ryan White is currently playing with the NPL side and will take a break before joining the senior squad for pre-season on 1 July.
Bailey O’Neil will continue playing in the NPL until the end of June. The Club is currently in discussions with Bailey regarding a new contract.
Oscar Page, Amlani Tatu, Feyzo Kasumovic, and Malual Nichola will all continue featuring for the NPL team.
National Team Call-Ups:
Australia U23 Squad: Ethan Alagich, Yaya Dukuly, and Ethan Cox have been selected in the Australian U23 squad for the upcoming international friendlies against Korea Republic. The friendlies are in-preparation for their AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Qualifiers in September.
Australia U20 Squad: Luka Jovanović, Jonny Yull, Panagiotis Kikianis and Fabian Talladira have all been called into the Young Socceroos squad by Head Coach, Trevor Morgan, to face Argentina in two matches as part of the FIFA U20 World Cup Chile 2025™, set to be played out of Buenos Aires on Friday, 6 June and Monday, 9 June (local).
Australia U18 Squad: Harry Crawford has been selected in Football Australia’s 20-player squad for the UEFA Friendship Cup 2025, to be held in Nyon, Switzerland from 30 May – 11 June.
Australia U16 Squad: Chris Irakoze, Sajjad Nasiri, and Hugo Ng have been selected int he Subway Joeys squad for the upcoming Hohhot U16 Tournament in China.
ASEAN All-Stars: Yaya Dukuly was selected in the ASEAN All-Stars squad for their friendly match against Manchester United in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday 28 May. The side defeated the Premier League giants in a 1-0 win.
Alagich Vidmar Award Winners:
Youth Player of the Year | Harry Crawford, Ryan White
A-League Men Rising Star | Archie Goodwin
A-League Men Golden Boot | Archie Goodwin
CG FinTech Moment of the Season | Harry Crawford – First A-League Goal (Round 22 v Brisbane Roar)
RAA Members’ A-League Men Player of the Year | Archie Goodwin
A-League Men Player’s Player | Panagiotis Kikianis
Red Army A-League Men Player of the Year | Archie Goodwin
Aurelio Vidmar Medal | Ethan Alagich
Ethan Alagich was named the 2025 Aurelio Vidmar Medallist, recognising a season defined by maturity, consistency, and relentless work ethic. At just 21 years old, the midfielder became the only outfield player to start all 26 Isuzu UTE A-League Men fixtures, logging more than 2,500 minutes and emerging as a linchpin in our Men’s side.
Dolan Warren Standouts:
Boost Mobile Young Footballer of the Year: Archie Goodwin
Golden Boot: Archie Goodwin
Isuzu UTE A-League Fair Play Award
Fourth in Johnny Warren Medal Count: Zach Clough
Pre-Season Friendly Schedule:
Stay tuned for more details surrounding our pre-season friendly schedule against local NPL and State League sides throughout July and August.
Ninja A-League Women’s
Most successful Season in Club history:
The 2024/25 Ninja A-League Women’s season will be cemented in Red’s history as the most successful season for our Women’s side. The squad earned their equal highest finish as they ended the regular season in third, earning a home elimination final for just the second time ever. A win against Western United in the cut-throat match saw us progress through to a maiden Semi-Final berth.
The recent season also saw records tumble, with Claudia Jenkins beating and then eclipsing the Club’s clean-sheet record, now standing at eight across the regular and Finals series. The team also achieved the longest undefeated streak for the Reds, standing at eleven games in a row.
Chelsie Dawber’s eight-goal tally from the season also sees her finish the season as the Club’s all-time leading goal-scorer for our Women’s team with a massive 31 goals in her time in Red.
Re-committing Reds:
Erin Healy will remain with the Club for the 2025/26 Ninja A-League Women season, after a clause in her contract was triggered following a standout debut campaign.
Healy made an immediate impact in her first season with the Reds, scoring eight goals in 19 appearances and emerging as one of the competition’s most exciting attacking talents.
Ella Tonkin and Emily Condon will remain with the Club for the 2025/26 Ninja A-League Women season, after a clause in their contracts was triggered following standout performances in 2024/25.
Tonkin, who joined the Reds from the FSA NTC program in 2019, played every minute of the season—highlighting her durability, consistency, and leadership. The 22-year-old also wore the captain’s armband and played a vital role in Adelaide’s record-breaking run of eight clean sheets. A former Adelaide Croatia Raiders junior, Tonkin has now amassed 63 appearances and scored three goals, including two this past season.
Condon, meanwhile, further cemented her legacy with Adelaide United, finishing the campaign with a personal best six goals. The Port Pirie product, who joined the squad in 2013/14, is second on the Club’s all-time appearance list with 128 matches and has found the net 21 times in her career. Her creative presence and dribbling finesse continue to set her apart, with her form earning a Matildas debut at the 2018 Algarve Cup.
Player Departures:
Abby Clarke, Meleri Mullan, and Chrissy Panagaris will depart the club at the conclusion of their contracts.
Meleri Mullan
A proud South Australian, Mullan made 36 appearances across five separate stints with her hometown Club since debuting in 2018. Her energy and commitment on the wing and midfield were evident throughout each return.
Chrissy Panagaris
Panagaris, a popular figure in the dressing room, featured 22 times for the Reds and etched her name into club folklore by netting a dramatic match-winner against Western Sydney Wanderers.
Abby Clarke
Clarke joined Adelaide United from English side Burnley and made three appearances during her time in red.
Squad Updates:
Abby Middleton and Miley Grigg will return to play WNPL while the Club continues to monitor their development.
Matilda McNamara, Lucia Leon, Sian Dewey, Sarah Morgan, Fiona Worts, Emily Hodgson, and Chelsie Dawber are all in negotiations to remain with the Club for next season and beyond.
Further player updates will be shared once confirmed by the Club.
Alagich Vidmar Award Winners:
A-League Women Rising Star | Zoe Tolland
A-League Women Golden Boot | Fiona Worts
RAA Members’ A-League Women Player of the Year | Erin Healy
A-League Women Player’s Player | Ella Tonkin
Red Army A-League Women Player of the Year | Claudia Jenkins
Dianne Alagich Medal | Erin Healy
From San Diego to the summit of the Ninja A-League Women’s season — Erin Healy was crowned the 2024/25 Dianne Alagich Medalist, capping off a brilliant debut campaign with Adelaide United.
Dolan Warren Standouts:
Coach of the Year: Adrian Stenta
Save of the Year: Claudia Jenkins
Second in Julie Dolan Medal Count: Erin Healy
National Team Call-Ups:
Republic of Ireland: Erin Healy received her first international call-up to the Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team for their crucial UEFA Women’s Nations League clashes against Türkiye and Slovenia.
Dominican Republic: Lucía León has been selected for the Dominican Republic Women’s National Team for the upcoming FIFA international window (26 May – 3 June).
New Zealand: Goalkeeper Claudia Jenkins was named in the Ford Football Ferns squad for the second time, as New Zealand prepares to take on Venezuela in a two-match international series in Spain next month. Jenkins has since been rested from the squad as an injury precaution.
