Seattle Reign FC has announced the signing of Australian international goalkeeper Lydia Williams for the 2018 NWSL season. Per team and league policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.
“I’m excited to be joining the Reign right from the beginning for the 2018 season,” said Williams. “The club has a specific direction in mind, and I think we will play an entertaining style of football. We will be ready to compete from day one.”
Williams appeared in, and started, 11 matches during the 2017 NWSL season. Three of those matches were with Reign FC, as the club acquired the Australian through a trade with the Houston Dash just prior to the deadline. Prior to the trade, Williams started eight matches for the Dash, collecting two clean sheets and 14 saves.
In her three matches with Reign FC, Williams made 10 saves and allowed two goals. Williams had one shutout with Seattle, coming in her first match with the club on September 3rd against the Houston Dash.
“Signing Lydia was one of the main goals for our organization in the off-season,” said Seattle Reign FC head coach Vlatko Andonovski. “Lydia is a top-class goalkeeper. Having her back will give calmness and confidence to our team.”
Williams’ first stint in the NWSL came in 2014 with the Western New York Flash. Through 14 matches, Williams recorded two shutouts. Her season came to an end when she tore her ACL.
After missing the 2015 NWSL season, Williams signed with the Houston Dash prior to the 2016 season. Williams finished the year with one clean sheet and 56 saves over 15 games.
Internationally, Williams has 64 caps for Australia. She most recently appeared in the Matildas 5–0 friendly victory over China, extending their winning streak to seven consecutive matches to end 2017.
The goalkeeper also helped Australia record their first-ever victory over the United States in a 1–0 shutout during the 2017 Tournament of Nations, and was a part of Australia’s 2015 Women’s World Cup squad and 2016 Rio Olympics team.
