| Freedom deals for Aussie striker Golebiowski Sydney, Australia (Sports Network) - Australian women's national team (Matildas) striker Kelly Golebiowski has signed for the WUSA's Washington Freedom. Terms of her contract were not disclosed. The 21-year-old Aussie joins fellow countrywomen Julie Murray and Diane Alagich in the American women's league. Joining FIFA World Footballer of the Year Mia Hamm on the Freedom squad, Golebiowski is also the third foreign player on coach Jim Gabarra's side. The Australian completes a trio of sea-jumpers as Chinese internationals Bai Jie and Gao Hong, and German star Steffi Jones are already in the team. Golebiowski, an Aussie Olympian and member of the Oceanic nation's 1999 World Cup team, spent the last two season plying her trade with the Hampton Road Piranhas of the W-League, earning Rookie of the Year honors in 2001. While the Freedom staff was already keen on her talent, they needed to wait until Golebiowski turned 21, the WUSA's league age minimum. Shortly after Australia completed in the Nike U.S. Women's Cup, she auditioned for Gabarra and company during a 10-day trial. "Since the league’s been around, it’s been one of my goals, so to achieve it three years later is something special for me," said Golebiowski on the Australian federation's web site. "Thankfully for me I went over to play for the Piranhas, as I'd probably not be known otherwise. It was the right thing to do I think." Golebiowski was Australia’s youngest player to ever earn an international cap -- making her Matildas debut at the age of 14. She recently made her 50th appearance for Australia -- scoring seven goals in her last 12 national side games. She is set to depart for D.C. on March 4. |
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