Australian Football icon, Olympian and current Matilda Lisa De Vanna has joined the South Melbourne Football Club (SMFC).

The news was announced at the SMFC Jersey Night hosted at the Club’s new $2 million social club in the presence of 300 guests, including South’s A League bid chairman, Bill Papastergiadis and Socceroos Coach Ange Postecoglou.

Mr Papastergiadis expressed his support to De Vanna joining the club and praised SMFC’s Women’s Football Director, Gabrielle Giuliano in her mission to get South into the W-League.

“The club has a history of excellence and has always attracted the best in the country. The signing of Lisa reveals that the club continues this standard,” he said.

“South is all about excellence and ambition; it is hungry for success. Lisa showcases the club’s desire to play W League.”

Mr Papastergiadis cited that South has produced 52 Socceroos and that the Club is putting just as much energy and attention into the women’s game, adding “South invests in women’s football as much as it does in men’s”.

“It is the fierce desire for the club to play W League that resulted in this signing,” he said.

“Gabrielle will do whatever is needed to get South in the W League. It is also the culture of excellence which Gabrielle has created which has lead to so many W League players joining the Club.”

With a career spanning 11 years, De Vanna has made a name for herself with fans across the globe in Australia, England and the United States.

The 32-year-old attacker is best known for her career with The Matildas, and has 121 international caps and 40 goals to her name – just two goals out from becoming the country’s all-time leading goal scorer.

The signing will see De Vanna take on a dual role with the Club, immediately joining their NPL Victoria Women’s team for the 2017 season due to play her first game on Sunday, and will also become the Club’s Women’s Football Ambassador.

This will allow her to work with the club on numerous projects relating to increasing the profile of women’s football at the club and throughout the country.
“Developing the game and its culture is what I am passionate about and South is the club which has the facilities and infrastructure to provide the pathway for me and my future,” De Vanna said.

“I want to push South and the players to the next level.”

De Vanna, who expressed her desire to leave her legacy on the club, also took the opportunity to thank Ms Giuliano and Assistant Coach, Socrates Nicolaides for the opportunity.