Calder United have secured their first signing of the summer, securing Bulleen Lions winger Dani Gudelj and re-signing three for their NPLW title defence.
The exciting teenager marks a big coup for the club, who continue to assemble one of the most competitive squads in the state, and will provide versatility on the flanks and at right-back, where she spent time playing last season.
Gudelj came through the elite state pathway, spending two seasons with the EAP, where she made her WPL debut in 2012.
There, she played alongside new teammates Jess Pitts, Bethany Mason-Jones and Cindy Lay as she scored two goals in her eight appearances for the club, before joining South Melbourne mid-way through 2013.
The winger appeared 15 times for the club that season – including an appearance off the bench in their 1-0 Grand Final loss to Sandringham – netting three times to help South claim the Minor Premiership.
A move to Bulleen followed in 2014, with Gudelj making over 50 appearances and scoring 15 times during her time at the Veneto Club, which also included a Womens State Knockout Cup triumph in 2014.
“It’s very exciting to provide Dani with an opportunity to further develop her game,” said Calder United coach Mark Torcaso.
“Dani asked if she could be part of this journey and it was a no brainer for me. She will compliment the current crop of players in our side and we wish her all best as she starts a new chapter in her career.”
Gudelj echoed the sentiments of her coach, believing the club to be the right fit for her at this stage in her career.
“I felt the time was right for a change and to look for new challenges, and after speaking to Mark I felt Calder was the club that could offer me what I was looking for,” Gudelj said.
The club have also acted fast to re-sign versatile defender Claudia Fruscalzo, winger Marie Rampal and youngster Holly Boldiston, joining the 12 to have already committed their future to the club.
Fruscalzo enjoyed a stop-start campaign in 2016 as injuries took their toll on the utility centre-back.
Appointed to the club’s leadership group in pre-season after a brilliant 2015 WPL campaign, Fruscalzo was restricted to just 11 appearances this year, but played a role in the NPLW decider against Galaxy United, where she lined-up in a holding midfield role.
“Claudia was a big part of our success this season, and got off to a blistering start before needing to overcoming injuries,” Torcaso said on her progression this season.
“She then played a key role in lead up to finals and during finals campaign.”
Rampal was one of two players signed on from Calder’s foundation club Keilor Park – alongside Marissa Tisocco – and made 19 appearances in her first season in the Victorian top-flight, netting three times.
The winger enjoyed a good start to life at an elite level, with her coach impressed with the progress she has shown since joining the Calder set-up.
“Marie had a very good year coming in from state leagues in 2015 and showed she could match it with the best. [She’s a] home grown talent with an exciting future.”
Midfielder Boldiston received plenty of exposure to top-flight football in 2016, making 22 appearances across the season, including a substitute appearance in the NPLW Grand Final.
She was restricted to a bench role for the majority of the season, but will be hoping to make further strides next campaign.
“Youngster Holly is an exceptionally talented player who really came along in her game in 2016,” Torcaso said.
“[She] showed many signs during year of why we see a massive future for Holly in Calder colours.”
The quartet join Enza Barilla, Cindy Lay, Stacey Papadopoulos, Aliesha Newman, Brydie Siryj, Gulcan Koca, Jess Pitts, Jess Au, Bethany Mason-Jones, Rachel Binning, Rachel Alonso and Kasha Meyer as players to have committed to Calder in 2017.