Jacynta Prema de Nieva Galabadaarachchi (born 6 June 2001), also known as Jacynta Gala, is an Australian professional

soccer Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a team sport played between two teams of 11 players who primarily use their feet to propel the ball around a rectangular field called a pitch. The objective of the game is ...

player who plays as a forward for Sporting CP and the Australia women's national under-20 team.

Early life

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. 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.

Club career

Melbourne City, 2016–2017

In October 2016 at age 15, Galabadaarachchi signed with Melbourne City for the 2016–17 season, and made five appearances for the club, 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.

Perth Glory, 2018–2019

Galabadaarachchi returned to Australia and signed with

Perth Glory Perth Glory Football Club is an Australian professional soccer club based in Perth, Western Australia. It competes in the country's premier men's competition, A-League Men, under licence from Australian Professional Leagues. Founded in 19 ...

for the

2018–19 W-League The 2018–19 W-League season was the eleventh season of the W-League, the Australian national women's association football competition. Clubs Stadia and locations Personnel and kits Managerial changes Transfers Foreign players Th ...

season.

West Ham United, 2019–2020

In July 2019, Galabadaarachchi secured a move to English FA WSL side West Ham United.

Napoli, 2020–2021

Galabadaarachchi signed on loan with Italian team Napoli in September 2020.

Celtic, 2021–2023

Galabadaarachchi signed for SWPL side

Celtic Celtic, Celtics or Keltic may refer to: Language and ethnicity *pertaining to Celts, a collection of Indo-European peoples in Europe and Anatolia **Celts (modern) *Celtic languages **Proto-Celtic language * Celtic music *Celtic nations Sports Fo ...

in February 2021. In July 2023, Celtic confirmed that Galabadaarachchi would leave the club.

Sporting CP, 2023–present

She signed for Portuguese team Sporting CP in July 2023.

International career

Galabadaarachchi is eligible to represent Australia, Sri Lanka, Argentina and Italy in international football, and has represented the Australian Under-17 team. In February 2017, she was called up for the

Matildas The Australia women's national soccer team is overseen by the governing body for soccer in Australia, Football Australia, which is currently a member of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the regional ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) si ...

for training camp ahead of the

2017 Algarve Cup The 2017 Algarve Cup was the 24th edition of the Algarve Cup, an invitational women's football tournament held annually in Portugal. It took place from 1 to 8 March. Format The twelve invited teams were split into three groups that played a rou ...

Personal life

She has a relationship with Swedish footballer Carl Starfelt.

Career statistics

Club

Honours

;Melbourne City * W-League: 2016–17 ;Celtic * SWPL League Cup: 2022, 2023

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Galabadaarachchi, Jacynta 2001 births Living people Australian women's soccer players Women's association football forwards Melbourne City FC (A-League Women) players Perth Glory FC (A-League Women) players A-League Women players West Ham United F.C. Women players Women's Super League players Serie A (women's football) players Celtic F.C. Women players Scottish Women's Premier League players Australian expatriate women's soccer players Australian expatriate sportspeople in England Expatriate women's footballers in England Australian people of Sri Lankan descent Australian people of Argentine descent Australian people of Italian descent SSD Napoli Femminile players Australian expatriate sportspeople in Scotland Australian expatriate sportspeople in Italy Expatriate women's footballers in Scotland Expatriate women's footballers in Italy Soccer players from Melbourne Sportswomen from Victoria (state) Australian expatriate sportspeople in Portugal Expatriate women's footballers in Portugal People from Dandenong, Victoria