New Zealand Football Ferns Grace Jale. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Football Ferns striker Grace Jale is ready to take the A-league "by storm".
Jale has signed with the Wellington Phonenix returning after a two year absence, where she has played for Canberra United and Perth Glory.
Jale, 25, was the top goalscorer in the women's Phoenix team's maiden campaign, finding the back of the net six times.
She has played 34 internationals for New Zealand, turning out for the Football Ferns at last year's World Cup and this year's Paris Olympics.
After the experience of a World Cup and an Olympic Jale says she's "ready to take the league by storm."
"Now that I've experienced a World Cup and an Olympics I think I'm ready to thrive."
"I hope to be up there scoring lots of goals and setting up goals... it's finals at minimum but I'm hoping to win the league with the Phoenix. That's the plan," she said.
Jale started her professional career at the Phoenix.
"I went to Canberra for a season and I went to Perth for a season, and I missed the Phoenix.
"It was nice to come up against the Nix over the past two years and see how much they've developed and see their set-up in Wellington.
"The facilities, the coaching staff and everything has gone about a thousand steps upwards from Wollongong.
"I missed being at home, having the home crowd and representing New Zealand in an Australian league.... and it was a kind of a no brainer to sign with the Phoenix."
Phoenix head coach Paul Temple said he's followed Jale's career from early on.
"I remember seeing her play as a youngster in Auckland and I've always kept an eye on her development and progression.
"I think Grace is ready to put in consistently strong performances and kick on to the next level. Her performances for the Ferns at international level have shown that she has exciting qualities as an attacking player.
Jale is the 16th player confirmed in Temple's squad.