Brisbane Roar has added more defensive quality to its A-League Women’s squad with the signing of two-time NPL Queensland champion Cannon Clough.
The versatile full-back becomes Garrath McPherson’s 12th confirmed squad member having forged a formidable reputation as one of the state’s standout players.
She has chalked up more than 60 NPL Women’s appearances across three campaigns and memorably scored the winning penalty in the Queensland State Team’s triumph over New South Wales in the Watson-O’Connor Cup in 2020.
“I am super excited,” Clough said upon signing her first A-League Women’s deal.
“The girls before us at the Roar have made it a really cool place to be and given it a good name, so I think it’s going to be cool to try to add on to that.
“The goal has always been to try to play at the highest level possible over here and hopefully this opportunity means my family will be able to come over to Australia.”
Clough came through the college system in the United States before relocating to Australia and now joins some familiar faces from Lions FC in the Roar setup.
“I think that’ll be a bit of a plus for us going into this season since a few of us already know each other,” the 25-year-old said.
“Even girls from other teams are already good friends. It’s all familiar faces which will be fun.
“With any team, the more time you get to spend together, the more chemistry you have, the better you know each other, the easier it is to play with each other.
“The NPL has done a good job to prepare us, especially Lions. The whole competition has done a good job of getting girls ready to play all over the country but in Queensland it’s really special.”
Head Coach McPherson described Clough as a “great defender” with speed and attacking, creative intent.
“Cannon is an explosive, mobile defender who has had another wonderful NPL Women’s season here in Queensland after being selected in the All-Star side that beat New South Wales last year,” McPherson said.
“She is a versatile player who will provide the team with a number of options at different times throughout a match.
“In all of the games I have watched Cannon play, she is competing in every moment. I really like her winning mentality.
“She joins a team full of that same intent to win.”
