City's first wave of signings revealed

Matildas stars Elise Kellond-Knight and Tameka Butt join City ahead of the 2018-19 season

• Championship winning captain, Steph Catley and star forward Kyah Simon among key re-signings
• Head Coach Rado Vidosic adds experienced W-League forwards Helen Caceres and Adriana Jones to the squad ahead of City's defence

City confirmed signing two new high-profile Matildas ahead of the new W-League season with coach Rado Vidosic working to improve last season’s championship winning team as the club target an unprecedented fourth consecutive title.

Looking to continue their formidable national team form, Matildas stars Elise Kellond-Knight and Tameka Butt will line up for City alongside returning Aussie teammates, Steph Catley and Kyah Simon.

City have also strengthened in attack with the arrival of former Western Sydney Wanderers forward Helen Caceres and ex-Adelaide and Newcastle striker Adriana Jones, who will provide Vidosic with additional firepower in the final third.

“We’ve secured a number of top-class new signings that will add to the quality the returning players have demonstrated these past few seasons,” said Vidosic.

“We all know the quality Tameka and Elise can bring to the team following their many successful performances for the Matildas, particularly during the 2018 AFC Women’s Asian Cup."

With almost 100 Matildas caps, Kellond-Knight promises to add further steel to City’s midfield. The two-time FIFA All Star Team award-winner (2011 and 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cups) most recently played in Europe for 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam before moving on to Hammarby Fotboll in Sweden.

Teaming up with Kellond-Knight in midfield, Butt adds creativity and goals, having notched up an enviable scoring record since her league debut in 2008. Winner of the Julie Dolan medal in the 2013-14 season, Butt has featured for Australia 67 times as well as playing her club football all over the world, including in Germany, Sweden and USA.

Championship winning captain Catley and Matildas star Simon return to City following the close of the US National Women’s Soccer League, hoping to make another big impact in pursuit of the club’s four-peat.

A key member of City’s back four, Catley has been with City since their maiden W-League campaign in 2015 - making 41 appearances and winning three titles along the way. Catley has also earned 67 Matildas caps, playing a major part in captaining Australia to runners-up in the 2018 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.

Boasting a glittering career including having won four league titles, AFC Women’s Asian Cup, W-League Golden Boot, Young Player of the Year and the Julie Dolan Medal (2010-11), Simon remains one of Australia’s most successful players. Having first signed for City in 2017, Simon went on to make 14 appearances for the club and played a major part in its third consecutive title.

Following successful seasons with City in the past, Japanese World Cup winner Yukari Kinga and Kiwi international, Rebekah Stott have also re-signed.

Having played an important midfield role in Melbourne City’s past three seasons, foundation player Amy Jackson returns for the 2018-19 season, as does experienced former Matildas goalkeeper, Melissa Barbieri, alongside Rhali Dobson and Sofia Sakalis, in what Vidosic is confident can be a title-winning squad.

“We’ve retained a large group of the successful squad from last year which provides us with a stable platform to work from,” said Vidosic

“With the quality and hunger for success of our new signings, this is a team that wants to win.

“We’ve still got a few more players to confirm before our list is complete which I am sure will excite all Melbourne City fans ahead of the new season.”

City’s W-League title defence kicks off against Canberra United at McKellar Park in the capital on October 28.

Melbourne City W-League roster 2018-19 as of 24 September 2018

* New signing