Cortnee Vine is back in A-League Women with Melbourne City after a challenging couple of years with NSWL's North Carolina Courage.
(Getty Images: NWSL/Matt Kelley)
Triple ALW premiership winner and Matildas star Cortnee Vine is heading back to Australia to spearhead Melbourne City's title tilt.
Vine is leaving NWSL side North Carolina Courage to join City, while Brisbane veteran Tameka Yallop is leaving the Roar to link up with grand finalists Wellington Phoenix.
The new ALW season begins on Friday October 16.
Cortnee Vine has returned to A-League Women with champions Melbourne City in a move that could help the Matildas' penalty shootout hero push for a second Women's World Cup berth.
Elsewhere, Matildas great and Brisbane captain Tameka Yallop has joined Wellington in a huge recruiting coup for the grand finalists.
Vine, 28, starred for Sydney FC as an explosive and tricky winger, winning three premierships and two championships.
Vine catapulted to stardom when she scored the winning spot-kick in the Matildas' famous penalty shootout against France that secured a maiden Women's World Cup semi-final berth in 2023.
The winger joined North Carolina Courage in 2024 but made just 23 appearances in two years, scoring twice, while also taking time away from football to prioritise her mental health.
With golden boot winner Holly McNamara leaving City for Super League club Everton, Vine is instantly the club's biggest name.
"I'm really excited to be coming home and joining Melbourne City," Vine said in a statement.
"I've watched what City has achieved over the last few seasons and the standards this group continues to set, so the opportunity to come into that environment and be part of a team competing for trophies was really exciting to me.
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"My time in the NWSL has helped me grow both as a player and a person, and I'm looking forward to bringing those experiences back to Australia."
Vine will have the opportunity to impress and push for three trophies across the ALW and the Women's Asian Champions League.
