Tara Murray
American star Hannah Keane isn’t going anywhere with the star re-signing with Western United for next year’s A-League Women’s competition.
The American attacker has been a star in her first season in the competition, hitting 10 goals in 13 matches and leading the golden boot race.
Having acclimatised perfectly to her surroundings in the west, Keane said she is delighted to have signed on and is looking forward to continuing to strive for success.
“I’m really pleased,” she said. “I’ve been really happy here, the club has been so welcoming.
“It’s a great culture and I think I have a lot more invested in it being here from the beginning.
“We can always do better and I just want to be involved in it, and I’m grateful the club wanted me too.”
Keane added that her feeling of comfort at United has been significantly helped by the fans and the relationship that she has built with the supporter base.
Western United football general manager Mal Impiombato said that Keane’s on-field ability and her contribution to the team culture made her an essential player to re-sign.
“We are delighted to be able to keep hold of Hannah Keane, the competition’s top goal scorer, for the next Liberty A-League season,” he said.
“Away from just her quality on the pitch, Hannah has played a significant role in developing the culture of our inaugural women’s program and we look forward to her continual efforts in representing our club over the course of next season.”
Keane joined United with a plethora of experience from the United States college system and throughout Europe, having played in the UEFA Women’s Champions League with Portuguese side Braga.
Speaking before the season started, Keane said she had always been looking for a second chance in Australia after her first stint with Melbourne City got cut short without playing a game.
“I reached out to my old NPL [National Premier League] coach at Alamein from the last time I was here,” she told Star Weekly.
“I asked if he knew any A-League coaches and whether he could give me some contact details so I could scope out interest.
“He goes, ‘in five minutes Mark [Western United coach [Mark Torcaso] is going to call you’. He coached Calder United and he remembered me.
“He gave me these spiel and it looked good and I thought I should give it a chance.”
United is back in action on Sunday against the Newcastle Jets.
