Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Jacynta Prema de Nieva Galabadaarachchi | ||
Date of birth | 6 June 2001 | ||
Place of birth | Dandenong, Australia | ||
Position(s) | Forward | ||
Team information | |||
Current team | Sporting Portugal | ||
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 |
Jacynta Prema de Nieva Galabadaarachchi (born 6 June 2001), also known as Jacynta Gala, [1] [2] is an Australian professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Sporting CP and the Australia women's national under-20 team.
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. [3] 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. [4]
In October 2016 at age 15, Galabadaarachchi signed with Melbourne City for the 2016–17 season, [5] and made five appearances for the club, [6] 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. [7]
Galabadaarachchi returned to Australia and signed with Perth Glory for the 2018–19 W-League season. [8]
In July 2019, Galabadaarachchi secured a move to English FA WSL side West Ham United. [9]
Galabadaarachchi signed on loan with Italian team Napoli in September 2020. [10]
Galabadaarachchi signed for SWPL side Celtic in February 2021. [11] In July 2023, Celtic confirmed that Galabadaarachchi would leave the club. [12]
She signed for Portuguese team Sporting CP in July 2023. [13]
Galabadaarachchi is eligible to represent Australia, Sri Lanka, Argentina and Italy in international football, [14] [15] 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. [16] [17]
She has a relationship with Swedish footballer Carl Starfelt. [18] [19]
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 | 5 | 0 | — | — | 5 | 0 | ||
Perth Glory | 2018–19 | 4 | 0 | — | — | 4 | 0 | |||
West Ham United | 2019–20 | FA WSL | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 17 | 0 |
Career total | 20 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 26 | 0 |
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