Cairns icon and Matildas young gun Mary Fowler joins Manchester City

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From Cairns to the world stage, Matildas star and local treasure Mary Fowler has signed a four-year deal with Manchester City.

The move marks the biggest step of Fowler’s burgeoning career, with Man City Head Coach Gareth Taylor describing the Australian forward as “one of the most exciting young talents in the game”.

Fowler, who’s just 19-years-old, said she’s excited and proud to be joining the Premier League club.

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“I have a few teams that I’ve always wanted to play with, and Man City is one of those so I am really excited and honoured to get the chance to play with this team,” she said.

“When you watch City play, you see football – you see how beautiful it is and you can really fall in love with the game just by watching City play, the girls and the boys.

“I have always enjoyed that part of football.

“It is about winning but it’s also nice to win playing a nice way of football and that’s what I like about City.

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“They have got a lot of technical players and that’s part of my qualities, being good on the ball.

“I am really looking forward to playing with this team because it’s exactly how I want to play.”

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Making her global debut in 2018, Fowler has racked up 24 ‘caps’ – international appearances for her home side.

On the world stage she’s also got seven goals to her name, including the memorable Tokyo Olympics shot from outside the box to clinch a 4-3 victory in the Matilda’s quarter-final against Great Britain.  

Fowler has spent the past two and a half seasons with Montpellier in southern France.

She was recently awarded Australia’s PFA Young Women’s Footballer of the Year accolade and was named second in NXGN Football’s 2022 Women’s Next Generation shortlist in March.

Her successes have set her up to be a key player when Australia co-hosts the Women’s World Cup next year.

“I’m still young and I’ve still got a lot to learn so being at a club like Man City I’m not only surrounded by amazing staff and coaches, but I’ve got the chance to be playing alongside and against some of the best players in the world,” she said.

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“Mary is a without doubt one of the most exciting young talents in the game right now and we’re absolutely thrilled to have her join us here at City,” Head Coach Gareth Taylor said.

“She has a maturity beyond her years but for her, she’s excited to come to England to learn and grow as a player.

“The fact that she made her senior international debut at just 15 really does show what high regard she is held in by the football world and we feel as though she’ll fit right in here with our team at City.

“Having her put pen to paper on a four-year deal also speaks volumes about our own commitment and also ours as a Club to her development.

“We can’t wait to start working with her.”

Fowler grew up in Cairns, where she and her four siblings would spend evenings on Trinity Beach competing in their own Olympic-style competitions with homemade podiums, medals, and prizes.

It’s where the so-called ‘Fowler five’ mastered the fundamentals of football.

Eldest brother Caoimhin (Quivi) and sister Ciara have also played at international level for Ireland, courtesy of their father’s Irish heritage.

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Mary also played alongside Ciara in Adelaide United’s 2019–20 season – a professional debut for both.

Ciara currently plays alongside youngest sister Louise in the FNQ Premier League at Edge Hill United.

The local side has also been traveling around the state for the Kappa Women’s Super Cup, with a semi-final against Brisbane-based Souths United up next.

Youngest in the family, Seamus, made his FNQ Premier League debut at just 14-years-old for the Leichhardt Lions.