Canberra United land four recruits on eve of W-League season

As W-League stars met at Western Sydney Stadium for the season's launch on Thursday, Canberra United was preparing to unveil the latest editions to their squad.

Ashlie Crofts and Rebekah Horsey should get their first taste of the Australian top flight this season, while Emma Stanbury and Patricia Charalambous have joined from interstate clubs.

Stanbury made her debut with the Newcastle Jets, while former Perth Glory defender Charalambous returns to the W-League after two stints in Cyprus with the Apollon Ladies FC.

"It was a no brainer when Heather called and asked me to play for Canberra United this season," Charalambous said.

"Canberra have always been at the top of the W-League, they play great football, they fight until the final whistle and I wanted to be a part of that history."

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American forward Katie Stengel joined players from all nine clubs at the W-League launch on Thursday, leaving the Canberra United import excited for her next challenge in Australia.

The 27-year-old is on a one-year loan from the Utah Royals for what will her fourth season in the W-League, having previously played with the Western Sydney Wanderers and Newcastle. She believes the upcoming season will be the most competitive yet.

"There's such a big influx of internationals because we know this league is growing and how strong it is," Stengel said.

"This year, more so than years in the past, is competitive so I think it's going to be really fun to watch and be part of."

The launch of the 2019-20 W-League season comes after Football Federation Australia announced a landmark agreement which details the the Socceroos and Matildas receiving the same percentage cut of commercial revenue and prize money.

The new collective bargaining agreement ensures the national sides receive a 24 percent share of national team-generated revenues in 2019-20, rising by 1 per cent each year.

It's part of a new three-tier, centralised-contract system for the Matildas which will see an increase of their salary.

Stengel, who previously played in the United States' under-23s side, hopes other nations will follow suit.

"It would be awesome for the US to follow suit in their own way so we can a more equal playing field for everybody," Stengel said.

"It's become in the spotlight more because of the recent success of both the Matildas and the US national team in the World Cup especially. The [US] won and want to be compensated for that.

"As the game continues to grow I think those conversations will reach the forefront and hopefully the game develops more. Hopefully we can have a longstanding relationship with the federations."

Meanwhile the Karly Roestbakken-led Young Matildas will meet South Korea in a third-place playoff in the under-19's AFC Championship on Saturday.

It will be Australia's last chance to secure a spot next year's under-20s World Cup in Nigeria, with the top three teams earning qualification for the tournament.