Carleigh Frilles has joined Western Sydney, becoming the fourth Filipinas international in a fortnight to sign for an Australian A-League Women club.
Frilles, who won her 51st international cap when the Philippines defeated Hong Kong in the Asian Games yesterday, joins the Wanderers after Melbourne Victory announced the signing of her Filipinas teammates Angela Beard and Skye Leach earlier in the week.
Philippines captain Hali Long joined Brisbane Roar the week before.
Katrina Guillou, another Filipinas international, signed with the Roar in August.
The midfielder has been a regular member of the Philippines squad since making her senior debut in 2022, and was part of the Filipinas squad that qualified for the 2023 and 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup. She also featured in the team that that won the 2022 AFF Women's Championship, the Philippines' first major international football title.
Frilles, 23, has previous experience in Australian football, having played for Blacktown Spartans in the NPL NSW Women's competition in 2023. She played 11 times and scored three goals for the Spartans.
"It's been a dream of mine to play in the A-League and make my return to Western Sydney after I played games for Blacktown Spartans in 2023," Frilles said in a statement released by the Wanderers.
"Playing right beside our facility and getting to catch some games made me really want to play in the A-League.
"I absolutely love the area and actually played on our match field many times with the Philippines national team. So it feels a bit like returning home.
"I'm hoping to bring an experienced but fresh energy to the club. I think my work rate up and down the sidelines is a big part of my game as I absolutely love getting forward but also making a hard recovery run back.
"My experience from college, national team, and my last professional club has shaped me into a versatile player who takes every challenge head-on."
Wanderers head coach Geoff Abrahams said that Frilles "brings a fantastic level of international experience and has already been part of some really significant moments in the growth of women's football with the Philippines".
"She is quick, direct and gives us flexibility in the attacking areas, while also bringing the competitiveness and work rate we want within our group," he said.
"She already understands the football landscape in Sydney and we're excited to see her bring that experience and quality into the Wanderers environment."
