South Melbourne FC is thrilled to announce the signing of central defender Leia Varley, who returns to the club for the 2023 NPL Victoria season.
Many South fans will remember Leia breaking into the club’s first team at only 16 years of age during the 2018 season, before playing a key role in the club reaching the 2019 Semi Final.
Now at age 20, Leia provides coach George Georgiadis with a strong option in the heart of the South defence. Since her time at South, Leia has gained experience whilst playing in the W-League for Adelaide United and again was a standout for FV Emerging.
Speaking to SMFC Media, Football Director Theo Chronis was excited to welcome Leia to the club. “It’s great to have Leia return to a place that saw her commence her senior football journey. She has become an established defender who is incredibly tough at the contest. We look forward to her bringing those attributes to the club in 2023.”
Coach George Georgiadis was equally excited to welcome his new centre back. “She’s an outstanding and ball playing central defender who has experience at both national and state level. We’re pleased that she chose to return to Lakeside, a place where we think she can excel as a senior football player and become one of the premier defenders in the competition. We can’t wait to have her start with us.”
The club welcomes Leia back to her home at Lakeside and wishes her the best for the 2023 season.