Canberra United trio recommit for upcoming W-League season

The local trio were unveiled as the latest editions to Canberra United's squad on Friday morning, joining Grace Maher and Laura Hughes for the upcoming W-League season.

All five players signed so far are local juniors, with coach Linton now looking to add experience and balance to her roster.

She's says United is building momentum in its recruitment drive and is pleased with how it's shaping up so far.

"One of the emphases this year is building around local products, Canberra and the ACT have always produced good players," Linton said.

"It's an opportunity for me coming in this year to really build that core group from which the squad will come from.

"United has a really good history with that, we punch above our weight in player production whether it's to youth national teams, the W-League but also to the success of [the club].

"I'm very excited. It's one of the reasons why I took the job because I know that talent is there and how it's produced in the W-League."

Keir returns to Canberra for her third W-League campaign with the club, having spent the winter playing for the Illawarra Stingrays in the NSW Premier League.

Goldstein and Taylor-Young will look to build on their debut W-League seasons, with Linton already working directly with the latter through the Canberra United Academy.

The 18-year-old striker made three starts in seven W-League appearances last season, winning more than half her duels and scoring one goal.

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Taylor-Young has since linked up with the Future Matildas program, with the club's Rising Star saying she's now confident and comfortable in the elite environment.

"It's very exciting. I don't know what to say, I'm lost for words really," Taylor-Young said about re-signing with United.

"Last year was amazing, it was the best experience in my life and I'm keen to get another one down."

With most Matildas overseas and the likely absence of international players, Linton sees the 2021 season as an opportunity for young talent to step up for more minutes and responsibility within the squad.

Goldstein, 24, has already taken the mentor's advice on board and is looking forward to the challenge of cementing her spot in the match-day squad.

The Canberran is eager to build on her W-League debut last season, having played just four minutes in the club's 3-1 win over Adelaide United.

Like Keir, Goldstein has been playing in the NSW Premier League competition with the Macarthur Rams.

"It's very exciting because I feel like last year I worked hard and set myself up to hopefully come in this season already knowing what to expect," Goldstein said.

"[I] know the level now so it's coming in with confidence and looking to prove myself with some game time to step up.

"Any opportunity to work hard and push is what you want."

Meanwhile, local junior Karly Roestbakken has been nominated for the 2020 PFA Young Women's Footballer of the Year alongside former United teammate Ellie Carpenter and Western Sydney Wanderers' Kyra Cooney-Cross.