The Houston Dash have signed Australian goalkeeper Lydia Williams, the club announced today. Williams will be added to the roster pending receipt of her International Transfer Certificate (ITC). Per team and league policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
"I'm very excited to acquire Lydia as she brings a wealth of international experience to our squad. She has played in the NWSL, so she understands what playing in this league is all about,” Dash head coach Randy Waldrum said. “With the addition of Lydia and our recent draft picks, we've had a very exciting week.”
Williams, 27, joins the Dash from Canberra United in the Westfield W-League, where she has played since 2015. Williams previously played for Canberra United during its inaugural season in 2008, a second stint from 2009-2012 and a third spell from 2013-2014.
In the 2015-2016 season, Williams started nine of 12 games for Canberra United, conceding seven goals and registering six clean sheets. Williams has previously played for the Western New York Flash and was signed by the Washington Spirit in 2014. Williams, a dual-citizen of Australia and the United States, will not take an international spot.
Williams made her debut for the senior Australian women’s national team at the age of 18 in 2006 and has earned 46 caps. In the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Williams started four of Australia’s matches registering two clean sheets.
"Her ability to lead a quality international team like Australia from the back is very attractive to us as we look to improve on our fifth place finish from last season,” Dash goalkeeper coach Tom Brown said. “She had a solid [2015 FIFA Women’s] World Cup which included a fantastic save against Brazil that helped Australia advance in the tournament."
Williams played in the 2006 and 2010 AFC Women’s Asian Cup tournament, winning the championship in 2010 and finishing second in 2006.
LYDIA WILLIAMS
Full name: Lydia Grace Yilkari Williams
Position: Goalkeeper
International: Australia and U.S.
Date of Birth: May 13, 1988
Birthplace: Katanning, Australia
Height: 5’9”
Previous club: Canberra United (Australia)
