Adelaide United is pleased to announce defenders Grace Taranto and Leia Varley have signed scholarship deals for the upcoming A-League Women 2021/22 season.
Taranto arrives from Victoria where she played 10 games with FC Bulleen Lions before the COVID-19 pandemic suspended the 2021 National Premier League seasons.
The versatile defender, who has represented the Junior Matildas, previously spent time with FV Emerging, scoring seven goals in 37 games.
Speaking on joining the Reds, Taranto said: “I’m so excited to have signed my first professional contract and that it’s with Adelaide United.
“I’m looking forward to working under the guidance of Adrian (Stenta) and the entire staff, and can’t wait to embark on this journey with my new teammates.”
Meanwhile, Varley also joins United from Victoria and scored three goals in 10 games with FV Emerging this year.
The centre-back has previously plied her trade with Box Hill United in 2018 and South Melbourne in 2019 and has been a part of Junior Matilda training camps.
Following her decision to move to the Club, Varley said: “I’m excited to have signed with Adelaide United.
“This is a fantastic chance to test myself playing against the best female footballers in the country and I can’t wait to begin training with my new teammates and working under Adrian (Stenta).”
After signing the pair, Adelaide United’s A-League Women’s Head Coach, Adrian Stenta, said: “We’re happy to add both Grace and Leia to our squad.
“Grace is able to play anywhere across the defence, while Leia is predominantly a centre-back.
“They are young players with a lot of potential and will certainly be beneficial to our team, which is coming together nicely.”
