Jacynta Galabadaarachchi

Jacynta Prema de Nieva Galabadaarachchi (born 6 June 2001) is an Australian professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Sporting and the Australia women's national under-20 team. She has a relationship with former Celtic and Sweden international Carl Starfelt. In February 2017, she was called up to training camp with the senior national team.[1]

Jacynta Galabadaarachchi
Galabadaarachchi in 2020
Personal information
Full name Jacynta Prema de Nieva Galabadaarachchi
Date of birth (2001-06-06) 6 June 2001
Place of birth Dandenong, Australia
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Sporting
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

Early life

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.[2] 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.[3]

Club career

Melbourne City, 2016–2017

In October 2016 at age 15, Galabadaarachchi signed with Melbourne City for the 2016–17 season,[4] and made five appearances for the club,[5] 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.[6]

Perth Glory, 2018–2019

Galabadaarachchi returned to Australia and signed with Perth Glory for the 2018–19 W-League season.[7]

West Ham United, 2019–2020

In July 2019, Galabadaarachchi secured a move to English FA WSL side West Ham United.[8]

Napoli, 2020–2021

Galabadaarachchi signed on loan with Italian team Napoli in September 2020.[9]

Celtic, 2021–2023

Galabadaarachchi signed for SWPL side Celtic in February 2021.[10] In July 2023, Celtic confirmed that Galabadaarachchi would leave the club.[11]

International career

Galabadaarachchi is eligible to represent Australia, Sri Lanka, Argentina and Italy in international football,[12][13] 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.[14]

Career statistics

Club
As of 13 July 2020[15]
Club Season League National Cup[lower-alpha 1] League Cup[lower-alpha 2] Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Melbourne City 2016–17 W-League 50——50
Perth Glory 2018–19 40——40
West Ham United 2019–20 FA WSL 1101050170
Career total 2001050260
  1. Includes FA Cup
  2. Includes League Cup

Honours
Melbourne City
Celtic

See also

References
  1. "Melbourne City teenage sensation Jacynta Galabadaarachchi named in Matildas squad". news.com.au. News Corp Australia. 14 February 2017. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  2. Talmage, Kerry (13 April 2016). "The 14-year-old girl compared to star Messi". BeSoccer. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  3. 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.
  4. "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.
  5. J. Galabadaarachchi at Soccerway. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  6. "New Glory attacker nearly signed for English heavyweights". 7 September 2018. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  7. Gareth Morgan (6 September 2018). "Glory snap up exciting attacker". Perth Glory FC. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  8. "Jacynta Galabadaarachchi: West Ham United Women sign Australian forward". BBC. 19 July 2019.
  9. "UFFICIALE – Napoli femminile, dal West Ham arriva l'australiana Galabadaarachchi". www.calcionapoli24.it (in Italian). 18 September 2020. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  10. "Jacynta Galabadaarachchi". Celtic F.C.
  11. @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.
  12. Harrington, Anna. "WILL GALABADAARACHCHI GET HER MATILDAS DEBUT?". The Women's Game. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  13. Andrew Southwick (2 May 2022). "Celtic's award winning Aussie star on the rise… but mum wants her to play for Argentina". Keepup.com.
  14. Davutovic, David (16 February 2017). "Matildas teenage prodigy Jacynta Galabadaarachchi living the dream". The Courier-Mail. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  15. "Australia – J. Galabadaarachchi – Profile with news, career statistics and history – Soccerway". int.soccerway.com.
  16. "#SWPLCup: Glasgow City 0–1 Celtic". Women’s Premier League. Archived from the original on 6 March 2022. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  17. "Scottish Women's Cup: Celtic retain trophy by beating Rangers in historic Hampden final". Sky Sports. 28 May 2023.

Further reading
  • 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
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