The Story So Far – Charlotte Grant

Charlotte Grant became our third signing of the January transfer window as she put pen to paper on Wednesday (3 January) evening.

From starting her career in Australia before heading out to Sweden, to experiencing a World Cup on home soil, we take a look at the defender’s career so far…

The start of her journey

The defender began her journey in Australia as she signed for her hometown club, Adelaide United, in October, 2018, and, at the age of 17, she made her debut in a 1-0 win over Brisbane Roar in November, 2018.

She went onto spend three years with the A-League Women side, making 34 league appearances throughout that time, and was full of praise about her experience with The Reds.

“I always followed Adelaide United when I was growing up, so to play for your hometown club was really special,” she said. “I looked up to some of the girls that became my teammates, so that was also special. It was a privilege to play there, and they really helped me develop as a player and as a person to help progress my career.”

Heading overseas

 The Australian international faced a new challenge when she headed overseas to join Swedish side Rosengard in April, 2021, going onto to feature in 23 games and was part of the squad that claimed silverware on three occasions – winning the Damallsvenskan (league) in 2021 and 2022 before lifting the Swedish Cup during the 2021/22 campaign, beating Robert Vilahamn’s BK Hacken side in the final.

She then headed out on loan to fellow Damallsvenskan side, Vittsjo GIK, in August, 2022, and that move was later made permanent in January, 2023. The defender made 23 appearances last season, scoring on two occasions, helping the club to finish fifth in the league before departing the club at the end of the campaign.

Speaking on her time in Sweden, Charli added: “It was really exciting to go abroad, I have always dreamed about playing overseas from a young age and that’s something fantastic about football, you can travel anywhere in the world because of it.

“It was not the easiest thing to move away from your family and go overseas, but going to Rosengard, they were really welcoming to me and made it a smooth transition. I’m grateful about having the opportunity to go overseas and have loved it ever since.”

On the international stage

 Charli has been capped 21 times for the Australia’s national side, making her debut for the Matildas in September, 2021, in a friendly against the Republic of Ireland and scored her first international goal in a 2-0 win over England in a friendly in April, 2023.

She was part of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics squad, where they progressed to the quarter-finals – beating Great Britain in that round – before being knocked out in the semi-finals by Sweden and, subsequently, lost in the play-off for the bronze medal to the USA.

The defender was also named in the Matildas squad for the 2023 FIFA World Cup last summer - which saw her country reach the semi-finals before being knocked out by England - and Charli reflected on the experience of the competition being held on home soil.

“It was really special to have a World Cup at home,” Charli added. “I have always dreamed about playing at the World Cup as it’s the pinnacle of football, so to have that on the home soil was amazing and to have my family and friends come to all the games was really special.

“It was such a proud moment for the nation, but also for other nations as they were record-breaking crowds which was amazing for women’s football and a step in the right direction for the growth of the game.”