The Newcastle Jets are delighted to announce the signing of American defender Bel Rolley for the 2024/25 A-League season.
Rolley who holds dual US and Australian citizenship, grew up playing for Merewether United in Newcastle before moving to the US where she completed five years in College playing for the University of Southern California, University of Oregon and the University of Illinois, tallying over 60 games in College.
Rolley is excited to return home to Newcastle after spending time abroad.
“It’s a very exciting moment to be able to come back home and start my professional career here. I’m so grateful to be back playing in front of my family and alongside my brother Bronson who is in the Jets’ Academy.
More than 15 years ago I was playing for Merewether United and sitting in the stands of Jets games. Now, after a successful College career, I can’t wait to join this Club and help us contend for an A-League Grand Final this season.
Newcastle Jets Coach Ryan Campbell said.
“Bel has been somebody that I have been monitoring for a while now through video as well as communicating with her consistently. From the conversations I have had with her as well as her clear ability that has been demonstrated from what I have seen so far, I believe she will fit seamlessly into our way of playing.
She has the physical characteristics that we are looking for in a central defender as well as confidence in her ability to build from the back in possession of the ball. Adding someone with the quality Bel possesses will elevate our strong squad further in a key area that we identified as necessary.”
