Carolina Vilao makes a save for Portugal during an international friendly against England under-23 women. Photo: AFP
The Wellington Phoenix believe the signing of Portuguese goalkeeper Carolina Vilão for the next women's A-League campaign can lift their game to a new level.
Vilão was unveiled as their first new signing for 2024-25, having left SL Benfice, where she won eight trophies, including four Portuguese league titles, and played in the UEFA Women's Champions League.
The signing comes as the Phoenix announced goalkeepers Brianna Edwards and Rylee Foster both won't be returning to the club next season,
Phoenix head coach Paul Temple has hailed the signing.
"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," Temple said.
"That sort of experience is massively valuable but she's also young and hungry.
"She's also a very technical and modern European goalkeeper. We played a selective style last year with the 'small ball' but we didn't do a lot of building out from the 'keeper.
"Carolina's very calm on the ball, good with both feet, picks passes through the lines and breaks pressure. Her ability in possession is really key, as well as obviously being a good all-round goalkeeper."
Vilão, 23, had to bide her time as the number two 'keeper at Benfica and hopes the Phoenix can help launch her career.
"It's time for me to move on so I can grow a little bit more," Vilão said.
"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.
"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."
Carolina Vilão is the 10th Phoenix women's player contracted for next season, with discussions continuing with other off-contract players.
Edwards moves on
Australian-born Edwards made 23 appearances for the club over the past three seasons.
The young Football Ferns 'keeper made her A-League debut late in the team's maiden campaign and went on to start all but one of the women's matches in the 2022-23 A-League.
Goalkeeper Brianna Edwards of Wellington Phoenix Photo: PHOTOSPORT
She was limited to four appearances last season, but still provided one of the moments of the year when she came off the bench against Canberra United to save a penalty.
"It has been an honour to wear the Nix jersey and live and play in Wellington," Edwards said.
"New Zealand has become my second home and I'm so grateful to the club, my teammates and the fans for making the last three seasons so memorable.
"Walking out onto Sky Stadium in the first professional women's football game played in New Zealand will always be one of the highlights of my career."
Foster joined the Phoenix on the eve of the 2023-24 season, two years on from an horrific car accident that halted her promising career.
The Canadian went on to start 19 of the team's 22 matches, keeping three clean sheets and helping the women achieve their highest finish.