South Melbourne FC is pleased to announce the signing of Melbourne City striker Melina Ayres for the 2017 NPL Victoria season.
Seventeen-Year-Old Ayres joins us following a championship winning stint with the W-League outfit, coming on as a late substitute in Sunday’s Grand Final win away to Perth Glory.
Previous to this, Ayres was on hand to capture the inaugural WNPL Golden Boot while playing at Alamein in 2016, scoring nineteen times in twenty competitive matches. Her outstanding form also culminated in selection for the Australian Under 20 side, where she scored three times in four appearances for her country.
Ayres also joins us having played numerous seasons previously as a South Melbourne junior and returns to the club to link up with another former South junior and Golden Boot winner Tiffany Eliadis.
Speaking to smfc.com.au Football Director Gabrielle Giuliano was excited with the signing. “We all remember a young and talented Melina running around as a South junior, so we are naturally excited to see her return to the club for the upcoming season. Furthermore, to sign someone with W-League and International experience is very exciting and we believe she will be an outstanding asset to the team in the forward half. We wish Melina all the best for the upcoming season”.
Melina will make her SMFC senior debut in two weeks time for the Round 1 clash against Box Hill United at Wembley Park. We can’t wait to see her in our colours.