Newcastle Jets have secured the services of highly-rated forward Lara Gooch ahead of the 2024-25 Ninja A-League season.
The 19-year-old has recommitted to the Jets after the best season of her flourishing career to date; Gooch scored four goals and registered two assists in 20 Ninja A-League games last season, helping head coach Ryan Campbell’s side to the Semi-Finals.
After securing Gooch’s signature for another season, Campbell lauded the teenage winger as a player with potential to become a genuine star of the Ninja A-League.
“Lara is an exceptional talent who has the potential to be one of the best attacking players in the competition,” he said. “Her ability to run with the ball at speed as well as strike it on both feet make her a dangerous player.
“I am looking forward to hopefully seeing a fully fit Lara on the field throughout the whole season.”
Gooch joined Cassidy Davis, Emma Dundas, Claudia Cicco, Sophie Hoban, Natasha Prior, Milan Hammond, Libby Copus-Brown, Tiahna Robertson, Lorena Baumann, Josie Wilson, Josie Allan and Chloe Walandouw as the 13th returning Jet following the 2023-24 season, while the club has welcomed new signings Bel Rolley, Danielle Krzyzaniak, India Breier, Ava Piazza and Mia Green to the squad in pre-season.
Gooch says the decision to re-sign with her hometown club was a no-brainer.
“I’m very happy to be signing on at Newcastle,” she said.
“I never take playing here for granted. I hope to help the team in any way I can each week to produce results and hopefully make it to the finals again and go further.
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