The Central Coast Mariners are thrilled to announce the signing of experienced defender Taren King for the upcoming 2023/24 Liberty A-League season.
The 26-year-old makes the trip down the F3 having spent the last three seasons with Newcastle Jets, playing 34 times for our rivals.
King started her A-League Women’s career with Canberra United, joining the club as a trialist at the beginning of the 2017/18 season.
After impressing she ultimately spent three seasons with and made 22 appearances for Canberra, before making the switch to Newcastle.
The defender immediately became a crucial cog in their defence, starting in all of the 34 matches she played for the club. King has currently featured in 66 Liberty A-League games, looking to grow that number this season.
The 26-year-old has also spent considerable time working under Central Coast Mariners Head Coach Emily Husband at Sydney University, winning the premiership with the squad last season.
Husband is extremely excited to have King on board for the upcoming campaign, seeing the experienced defender as an extremely valuable addition.
“I am thrilled to have been able to sign Taren to the squad for the upcoming campaign. Having someone with the experience that Taren has in the A-League is really important to help guide the players around her as we join the competition this season,” Husband said.
“She will bring stability to the defence, she is good in the air and reads the play well. She is also an awesome human and individual so she will bring loads of positivity into the group.”
King is thrilled to be a Mariner this season, eager to get the campaign started.
“I am extremely excited, obviously it is a new challenge with a brand new squad coming together as the Mariners join the competition. It is an exciting prospect for a player to make history with the team coming into the A-League Women’s. I have been in the league for quite a few years now so I will bring some experience and communication skills from the back,” King said.
“With the Matildas doing what they have this World Cup, it has only made people more keen to play and watch women’s football. I can’t wait to get started with the team and get cracking.”
