The Central Coast Mariners have signed experienced defender Taren King for the upcoming 2023/24 Liberty A-League season.
The 26-year-old has spent the last three seasons with Newcastle Jets, playing 34 times for our rivals.
King started her A-League Women’s career with Canberra United, joining the club as a trialist at the beginning of the 2017/18 season.
She ultimately spent three seasons with Canberra before making the switch to Newcastle.
The defender immediately became a crucial cog in their defence, starting in all of the 34 matches she played for the club.
King has currently featured in 66 Liberty A-League games, looking to grow that number this season.
She has also spent considerable time working under Central Coast Mariners Head Coach Emily Husband at Sydney University, winning the premiership with the squad last season.
Husband is extremely excited to have King on board In the Mariners inaugural women’s A-League team, seeing the experienced defender as an extremely valuable addition.
“I am thrilled to have been able to sign Taren to the squad for the upcoming campaign,” Husband said.
“Having someone with the experience that Taren has in the A-League is really important to help guide the players around her as we join the competition this season.
“She will bring stability to the defence, she is good in the air and reads the play well.
“She is also an awesome human and individual so she will bring loads of positivity into the group.”
King said she is keen to get started.
“I am extremely excited; obviously it is a new challenge with a brand new squad coming together as the Mariners join the competition,” she said.
“It is an exciting prospect for a player to make history with the team coming into the A-League Women’s.
“I have been in the league for quite a few years now so I will bring some experience and communication skills from the back.
“With the Matildas doing what they have in the World Cup, people are more keen to play and watch women’s football.
“I can’t wait to get started with the team and get cracking.”
Source:
Central Coast Mariners