The Central Coast Mariners are delighted to announce the signing of Matildas forward Kia Simon ahead of the upcoming Liberty A-League Women’s season.
The 32-year-old joins the club from Women’s Super League side Tottenham Hotspur, having spent two seasons at the English club.
Simon has extensive international experience, making 111 appearances for the Matildas and scoring 29 goals.
She has been selected in three FIFA Women’s World Cup squads, including the most recent in 2023 on home soil, as well as participating in two Olympic Games.
Simon began his professional football career at Central Coast Mariners, scoring five goals in nine appearances. The striker later moved to Sydney FC and later played for Melbourne City in the A-League Women’s competition.
In total, Matilda has played 108 A-League Women’s matches, including six Grand Finals, scoring 50 goals and winning four A-League championships. She has won both the Julie Dolan Medal and the Golden Boot.
Simon has an extensive resume in domestic soccer overseas, having played seven seasons in the United States for both the Boston Breakers and Houston Dash.
Following his stint in America, Simon moved to Europe and joined Dutch giants PSV. In her only season with the club, they finished second in the Eredivisie before securing a contract with Tottenham Hotspur in the Women’s Super League.
The forward scored three goals in 16 appearances for the club, before a serious injury ended his time at the North London club.
Matilda now returns to where it started, having signed with the Central Coast Marines ahead of the upcoming campaign.
The striker is very excited to be wearing the yellow and navy this season and is set for a huge campaign in the Mariners colours.
“I am very happy to have signed for Central Coast and to be back here in Australia playing in the A-League. The Mariners were my first A-League club in the inaugural season and they have always held a special place in my heart and it was a real full circle moment for me,” said Simon.
„The closer I got to this decision, the more it felt right for a number of reasons. It was my priority to be somewhere supported and surrounded by great medical care and resources during a very difficult 10 or so months. I can’t wait to get out on the field with the girls and make this season great and great.” I hope I can help the team in any way I can to make it a memorable one.
Mariners head coach Emily Husband is delighted to have the striker on board, and Simon has been an incredible addition at the start of the season.
„Gya’s versatility and quality as a forward with experience in some of the top leagues in women’s football is an exciting signing for us,” said Husband.
His international career speaks for itself as he scored in both the Olympics and World Cups. Bringing that experience and ability to score in big moments to Central Coast is great. Kya has a fantastic personality and will make an immediate impact on the team.
North Construction & Building, who are the inaugural sponsor of the A-League Women’s team and have Simon as their player ambassador, are delighted to have someone of the striker’s caliber on the Central Coast and are excited to work with him.
„We are particularly pleased to continue our close association with the Central Coast Mariners and their women’s team as the foundation and management partner of their women’s professional team who play in the Liberty A-League Women’s competition,” said North Construction’s Matthew Cook. & Building Managing Director.
“It’s even more special to have Kya as our Workforce Development Ambassador for our NSW Government Women in Construction Innovation Program grant. We can’t wait to see what the team can do on the field and what Kia can do off the field to inspire women to consider a career in our field.
Purchase your Women’s Season Ticket to see Kia and the Mariners play this season Here We are preparing to host Newcastle Jets in the opening round of the A-League Women’s competition at our Paradise.