Jacynta Galabadaarachchi
FullnameJacynta Prema de Nieva Galabadaarachchi
Birth date6 June 2001 (age 25)
Birth placeMelbourne, Australia
Height1.55m[1]
PositionForward
CurrentclubSassuolo
Clubnumber28
Youthclubs 1Kingston City
Years 12016–2017
Clubs 1Melbourne City
Caps 15
Goals 10
Years 22018–2019
Clubs 2Perth Glory
Caps 24
Goals 20
Years 32019–2020
Clubs 3West Ham United
Caps 311
Goals 30
Years 42020–2021
Clubs 4Napoli
Caps 44
Goals 40
Years 52021–2023
Clubs 5Celtic
Caps 525
Goals 515
Years 62023–2025
Clubs 6Sporting CP
Caps 623
Goals 63
Years 72025–
Clubs 7Sassuolo
Caps 70
Goals 70
Nationalyears 12016–2018
Nationalteam 1Australia U17
Nationalyears 22018
Nationalteam 2Australia U20
Nationalcaps 21
Nationalgoals 20
Nationalyears 32025–
Nationalteam 3Australia
Nationalcaps 32
Nationalgoals 30
Pcupdate16 August 2025
Ntupdate10 July 2025

Jacynta Prema de Nieva Galabadaarachchi[a] (es-419;[b] born 6 June 2001), also known as Jacynta Gala,[2][3] is an Australian professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Serie A Femminile club Sassuolo and the Australia women's national team.

Early life

Galabadaarachchi began playing soccer at age five after watching her brother play. She was later invited to Manchester City W.F.C. Academy and spent eight weeks training with the team.[4] At age 14, her request to play for an under-15 boys premier league team was denied by Football Federation Victoria; the decision was later overturned.[5]

Club career

Melbourne City, 2016–2017

In October 2016 at age 15, Galabadaarachchi signed with Melbourne City for the 2016–17 season,[6] and made five appearances for the club,[7] playing primarily as a striker. After getting limited playing time at Melbourne City, Galabadaarachchi went to England and trained with various professional teams over there. Despite offers she was unable to sign a pro contract as she was under 18.[8]

Perth Glory, 2018–2019

Galabadaarachchi returned to Australia and signed with Perth Glory for the 2018–19 W-League season.[9]

West Ham United, 2019–2020

In July 2019, Galabadaarachchi secured a move to English FA WSL side West Ham United.[10]

Napoli, 2020–2021

Galabadaarachchi signed on loan with Italian team Napoli in September 2020.[11]

Celtic, 2021–2023

Galabadaarachchi signed for SWPL side Celtic in February 2021.[12] In July 2023, Celtic confirmed that Galabadaarachchi would leave the club.[13]

Sporting CP, 2023–2025

Galabadaarachchi signed for Portuguese team Sporting CP in July 2023.[14]

Sassuolo, 2025–

In August 2025, Galabadaarachchi joined Italian club Sassuolo.[15]

International career

Galabadaarachchi is eligible to represent Australia, Sri Lanka (via her father), Argentina and Italy (both from her mother) in international football,[16][17] and has represented the Australian Under-17 team.

In February 2017, she was called up for the Matildas for training camp ahead of the 2017 Algarve Cup.[18][19] After being called up again by Australia in 2022, but not making her international debut, she announced in 2023 that she would instead commit to playing for Argentina.[20] However, she again failed to debut for La Albiceleste, and was called up by Australia for the third time in mid 2025 for two friendlies against Slovenia in June.[21]

She made her international debut for Australian on 5 July 2025 in the first friendly against Panama in Bunbury, Western Australia, coming on as a sub in the second half.[22]

Personal life

Galabadaarachchi is in a relationship with Swedish footballer Carl Starfelt.[23][24]

Career statistics

Club

[25]

ClubSeasonLeagueNational Cup[c]League Cup[d]Continental[e]Other[f]Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsAppsGoals
Melbourne City2016–17W-League50——50
Perth Glory2018–1940——40
West Ham United2019–20FA WSL1101050—170
Napoli2020–21Serie A400000—40
Celtic2020–21SWPL 11010000—101
2021–22SWPL 12332031—284
2022–23SWPL 130151000—3115
Total63213031—6920
Sporting CP2023–24Campeonato Nacional Feminino18350410020294
2024–25Campeonato Nacional Feminino5000004020110
Total23350414040404
Career total1102490122404013924
  1. ^ Sinhala: ජසින්තා ප්‍රේමා ද නීවා ගලබඩආරච්චි, d͡ʒasin̪t̪a præːma da niːʋaː ɡaləbədəaːraʈ͡ʃːi
  2. ^ Pronunciation in Rioplatense Spanish.
  3. ^ Includes FA Cup
  4. ^ Includes League Cup
  5. ^ Includes UEFA Women's Champions League
  6. ^ Includes Supertaça de Portugal

Honours

Melbourne City

Celtic

Sporting

See also

References

  1. ^ "Jacynta Galabadaarachchi". sporting.pt. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
  2. ^ "Jacynta Gala vai estrear-se em Alvalade: "Estou entusiasmada por jogar no estádio!"" (in pt-PT). www.record.pt. Retrieved 2023-11-26.
  3. ^ "Jacynta Gala contratada pelo Sporting para o futebol feminino" (in Portuguese). SAPO Desporto. Retrieved 2023-11-26.
  4. ^ Talmage, Kerry (13 April 2016). "The 14-year-old girl compared to star Messi". BeSoccer. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  5. ^ Bailey, Megan (10 April 2016). "Pakenham soccer star Jacynta Galabadaarachchi gets green light from Football Federation Victoria to play with the boys". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  6. ^ "City re-signs four W-League champions". Melbourne City FC. 6 October 2016. Archived from the original on 24 September 2017. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  7. ^
  8. ^ "New Glory attacker nearly signed for English heavyweights". 7 September 2018. Archived from the original on 29 September 2018. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  9. ^ Gareth Morgan (6 September 2018). "Glory snap up exciting attacker". Perth Glory FC. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  10. ^ "Jacynta Galabadaarachchi: West Ham United Women sign Australian forward". BBC. 19 July 2019.
  11. ^ "UFFICIALE – Napoli femminile, dal West Ham arriva l'australiana Galabadaarachchi" (in Italian). www.calcionapoli24.it. 18 September 2020. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  12. ^ "Jacynta Galabadaarachchi". Celtic F.C.
  13. ^ "CelticFC Women can confirm Jacynta is leaving the club following a successful two and a half years with the Hoops". No. 1675534816052236296. 2 July 2023.
  14. ^ Abola.pt (2023-07-11). "Futebol Feminino Oficial: Sporting contrata Jacynta Galabadaarachchi! (não, não é gralha) | Abola.pt". Abola.pt. Retrieved 2023-11-26.
  15. ^ "Jacynta Galabadaarachchi è neroverde!" [Jacynta Galabadaarachchi is black and green!] (in Italian). Sassuolo. 15 August 2025.
  16. ^ Harrington, Anna. "Will Galabadaarachchi Get Her Matildas Debut?". The Women's Game. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  17. ^ Andrew Southwick (2 May 2022). "Celtic's award winning Aussie star on the rise… but mum wants her to play for Argentina". Keepup. Archived from the original on 28 April 2022.
  18. ^ "Melbourne City teenage sensation Jacynta Galabadaarachchi named in Matildas squad". news.com.au. News Corp Australia. 14 February 2017. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  19. ^ Davutovic, David (16 February 2017). "Matildas teenage prodigy Jacynta Galabadaarachchi living the dream". The Courier-Mail. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  20. ^ "Optus Sport". sport.optus.com.au. Retrieved 2025-06-21.
  21. ^ "Matildas unveil new-look squad for Slovenia and Panama clashes". ABC News. 2025-06-20. Retrieved 2025-06-21.
  22. ^ "Understrength Matildas fall to physical Panama in opening friendly". ABC News. 2025-07-05. Retrieved 2025-07-05.
  23. ^ "A namorada saiu para o Sporting, agora ele também quer deixar o Celtic" (in Portuguese). CNN Portugal. Retrieved 2023-11-26.
  24. ^ "Jacynta Gala e a transferência do namorado que não foi por amor: "Quatro horas e meia de carro é mais do que um voo para a Escócia"" (in pt-PT). www.record.pt. Retrieved 2023-11-26.
  25. ^ "Australia – J. Galabadaarachchi – Profile with news, career statistics and history – Soccerway". int.soccerway.com
  26. ^ "#SWPLCup: Glasgow City 0–1 Celtic". Women’s Premier League. Archived from the original on 6 March 2022. Retrieved 26 May 2022.

Further reading

  • Grainey, Timothy (2012), Beyond Bend It Like Beckham: The Global Phenomenon of Women's Soccer, University of Nebraska Press, ISBN 0803240368
  • Stewart, Barbara (2012), Women's Soccer: The Passionate Game, Greystone Books, ISBN 1926812603