South Africa’s women’s national football team captain Janine van Wyk joined Scottish club Glasgow City after ending her spell in Denmark earlier in the year.
In a statement, Glasgow City welcomed the 33-year-old defender describing her as “one of the biggest ever signings in Scottish Women’s Football”.
Van Wyk, the most capped South African male or female player with 170 caps, said she was happy to join the Scottish giants and compete for titles, in addition to continuing her education on various aspects of football.
“I am extremely excited to start this new chapter in my football career with a football club that is known to be the best team in the Scottish top League. I look forward to playing in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, win titles and most importantly continue to learn as much as I can about the insights of the game and hopefully add value to the squad with the experience I carry,” she said.
Glasgow City Head Coach Scott Booth said that he was confident that van Wyk’s “incredible experience” will be key for the club during the season.
“Janine captained her nation at the 2019 World Cup and is their record cap holder. I know that she will 100% lead by example and fit in to our already talented squad.”
Van Wyk, who was the first South African woman to play in Denmark, left Danish club Fortuna Hjorring in January due to injury. She was hampered by a knee injury she picked up while on international duty for Banyana Banyana during their title-winning campaign at the COSAFA Cup.
Aside from Hjorring, van Wyk has also played for Moroko Swallows and Palace Super Falcons in South Africa and Houston Dash in the United States.
She has represented South Africa at two Olympic Games and last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.
She also founded her own club, JVW, in South Africa in 2012 to help identify and develop women’s talent.
