Canberra United recruit Chelsee Washington to unleash two years' frustration on A-League Women

Both her and fellow new Canberra United signing Ally Haran have timed their arrival perfectly.

As COVID-19 restrictions in Australia ease up they don't need to do any quarantine upon arrival and just need to return two negative tests - one on arrival and another after about five days.

It means, touch wood, they should be part of training on Monday.

The pair's signing was announced on Tuesday, with both recruited from USA team Orlando Pride.

Washington's an attacking midfielder - although coach Vicki Linton could use her in more of a holding role, while Haran's a central defender.

Like a lot of athletes around the world, Washington's found herself in something of a holding pattern - with very little game time and what seemed like endless training.

She's come to the A-League Women determined to change that.

While she's admitted the past two years have been tough, she felt it's her mentally resilient.

The 23-year-old's planning to unleash her frustration on the ALW and return to the Pride having taken her game to the next level.

Her new Canberra teammates might need to be on their guard next week, with Washington revealing that determination could lead to some fiery training sessions.

"The most work I've done these last two years has been definitely my mentality because it's been so much training and almost like no pay off in a way," she said.

"Vicki asked, 'Usually when you come over from America you're a bit more competitive, are you going to be able to bring that competitiveness?'

"I was like, 'You don't have to worry about that'. When you train for months and there's no games you're arguing over the dumbest stuff in training.

"It was definitely frustrating. I'm just excited for a breath of fresh air and that's why I think this is going to be for me - to be able to play and not feel so bottled up."

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Haran was sold on United by her former North Carolina Courage teammate Kaleigh Kurtz, who was Canberra's player of the year for the 2019/20 ALW campaign.

United fans will be hoping the 25-year-old defender can replicate Kurtz's season in lime green.

She's a pacey centre-half who likes to use her speed to ensure there won't be any "Oh no" moments at the back for Canberra.

Haran had her sights set on helping United build on last season, where they made the ALW finals for the first time in three years.

"Definitely [I want] game minutes and honestly they did so well this past year - hopefully I can help and become a good part of the team and help them make it all the way this year," she said.

"That'd be really awesome if we could have a winning season and I could be a part of that."

While the pair will travel halfway around the world to Canberra, they won't have to look far for a taste of back home.

They live across the hall from each other in the USA and will be roommates Down Under.

They're also hoping to bring that connection and cohesion to middle of the park for United.

"We lived across the hall from each other this year so it's going to be nice going in knowing somebody and playing with each other - we already know each other a little bit - so hopefully that will make that transition a little bit easier as well," Haran said.

While Washington sees herself as a bit more attack minded, she'll fill more of a defensive role for United in the ALW.

She's also been used as a winger, but prefers to do her work in the middle of the park.

"I'm a natural midfielder. This season with the Pride I found myself at wide forward, which doesn't exactly suit my abilities in my opinion," Washington said.

"As long as I'm in the middle of the park is where I'm the happiest.

"When I spoke to Vicki though I know she's kind of looking for more of a holding mid and just a distributor, and somebody who can dictate the tempo.

"I'm excited for that. Normally I'm a little more attack minded, but I'm excited to provide some stability in there and play a little bit more of a deeper role."