Calder United have secured a huge coup, announcing the signing of Senior NTC captain and Young Matildas midfielder MelindaJ Barbieri.
The reigning FFV Gold Medallist played her junior football at Keilor Park and makes a return of sorts to her former training ground.
She signs for the Keilor-based outfit after two-and-a-bit seasons with the state development program, which has seen the 16-year-old score 14 times from just under 40 games.
Barbieri enjoyed a breakout 2015 WPL season, in which she made her senior top-flight debut as a 14-year-old in a 3-1 opening round loss to South Melbourne.
She went on to make a further 15 appearances – scoring three goals in the process – which drew the attention of former W-League champions Melbourne Victory.
Signing with the club for the 2015-16 campaign, Barbieri appeared in all 12 fixtures for the club in their embattled campaign that saw the club finish bottom of the W-League ladder.
In the process, Barbieri became the fifth youngest player to debut in the W-League, while also becoming the fifth youngest player to score at just 15 years and 210 days.
Barbieri claimed Victory’s Young Player of the Year award, while then-NTC teammate Annabel Martin took out the Victory Medal.
Her 2016 campaign saw Barbieri net better than a goal every other game, finding the net 10 times from 19 appearances in an advanced midfield role.
Barbieri edged out Box Hill United’s ineligible midfielder Kristina Hall to claim the FFV’s Gold Medal for 2016 in a stellar season for the youngster.
She has made three appearances this campaign, scoring in her final appearance, a 4-4 draw against Galaxy United.
The move to Calder helps cover the loss of American Emma Meckfessel, who is expected to miss the rest of the season with an ACL injury.
It is unknown as to whether Barbieri will line up for her new side in tonight’s NPLW fixture against Bulleen Lions at David Barro Stadium.