1 year ago
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Reggae Girlz defender Allyson Swaby has added to the cohort of Jamaicans in the Barclays Women’s Super League (WSL) as she penned a two-year contract with Crystal Palace, leaving Italian club AC Milan, subject to international clearance.
Swaby made the switch from Milan to London after signing a permanent deal which will see her at Crystal Palace through to June 2027.
Palace announced the transfer earlier this week, stating the defender had made the switch for an undisclosed fee.
Speaking ahead of her first days in her new club’s colours, Swaby said she was delighted to have joined the South London-based club.
“I’m super excited to be here. I’m really looking forward to being able to step on to the pitch with the team and just get straight to work,” she said.
The move will be Swaby’s sixth professional club since making her professional debut for Icelandic outfit Knattspyrnufélag Fjarðabyggðar (KFF) in 2018.
After just 12 appearances for KFF, the stalwart defender would land on the radar of Italian giants AS Roma who she joined later that same year.
She spent three seasons with Roma, winning her first title, the Coppa Italia, before moving to Angel’s City FC in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in the United States.
Spending a year at Angel’s City, Swaby made the switch to join French giants Paris-Saint Germain (PSG) on a six-month loan deal before heading back to Italy, this time with AC Milan.
Crystal Palace’s head coach Laura Kaminski said the international defender’s expertise will prove an invaluable asset for the club.
‘FANTASTIC ADDITION’
“Allyson is a fantastic addition to the squad. She brings experience, leadership, and real defensive quality,” she stated.
“She’s played at the highest level in both club and international football, and we’re excited to see the impact she’ll have here at Palace.”
Crystal Palace are currently bottom of the WSL standings with just five points from 12 games.
Holding the league’s worst defensive record this season, Swaby’s signing could prove pivotal for Crystal Palace as they seek to turn their season around and survive the drop.
Swaby’s transfer marks yet another Jamaican international to have joined the WSL ranks.
Her sister, Chantelle Swaby, had signed with Leicester City at the start of the season, joining fellow international teammates Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw at Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspurs duo of Drew Spence and Rebecca Spencer and Liverpool’s Taylor Hinds.
Crystal Palace’s next game will be an away trip against Brighton and Hove Albion tomorrow at the Broadfield Stadium.
English (US) ·