The Wellington Phoenix have secured a top-tier replacement for their departing goalkeepers, signing Portuguese U-23 international Carolina Vilão for the upcoming A-League Women season. Vilão, a 23-year-old with Champions League experience, joins the Phoenix from Benfica, where she amassed an impressive collection of eight trophies, including four league titles.

Coach Paul Temple expressed his enthusiasm about the signing, stating, “I think it’s exciting that we can sign a player from a club like Benfica that plays in the Champions League and we’re able to attract a player like Carolina to the club. That sort of experience is massively valuable but she’s also young and hungry. Bringing in players with ambition, desire to improve, and will to win is important for the team and its growth. She’s also a very technical and modern European goalkeeper.”

Vilão’s arrival fills the void left by the departure of Rylee Foster and Brianna Edwards. Foster, who joined the Phoenix on a short-term contract after a serious car accident, has moved on, while Edwards, a founding member of the Phoenix women’s squad, has also departed.

Temple highlighted Vilão’s technical abilities and her potential to reshape the team’s style of play. He noted her composure on the ball and ability to initiate attacks from the back. Vilão’s experience includes appearances in four Champions League matches, facing formidable opponents like Chelsea and Bayern Munich.

Despite her experience at Benfica, Vilão felt the need for regular playing time to further her career and was drawn to the Phoenix after watching Portugal compete in the FIFA Women’s World Cup in New Zealand last year.

“I was at Benfica for six years and I grew a lot because I went there as a young player and now I’ve become a woman,” Vilão said. “It was a good experience playing for the under-23 national team and playing in the Women’s Champions League and maybe one day I’ll come back to do that again. But now it’s time to be great in another place. I’m looking to further my career and do the best I can for the Phoenix.”