Wellington Phoenix have signed 23-year-old Portuguese goalkeeper Carolina Vilão for the 2024-25 Liberty A-League season.
Vilão joins Wellington from Portuguese giants S.L. Benfica, where she won eight trophies, including four Portuguese league titles. With experience in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, Vilão brings both youth and expertise to the team.
Phoenix head coach Paul Temple is enthusiastic about Vilão’s addition, noting that she fits perfectly with the club’s ‘small ball’ tactical approach. “It’s exciting that we can sign a player from a club like Benfica that plays in the Champions League and attract a talent like Carolina to the club,” Temple said.
“That sort of experience is massively valuable, but she’s also young and hungry,” said Temple. “Bringing in players with ambition, desire to improve, and a will to win is important for the team and its growth.
“She’s also a very technical and modern European goalkeeper. Last year, we played a selective style with the ‘small ball’ but didn’t do a lot of building out from the keeper.
“Carolina’s very calm on the ball, good with both feet, and can pick passes through the lines and break pressure. Her ability in possession is really key, in addition to obviously being a good all-around goalkeeper.”
Vilão arrived at the club on the same afternoon that Wellington confirmed the departure of goalkeepers Rylee Foster and Brianna Edwards.
The 23-year-old goalkeeper says it was the right time to leave Benfica after six years at the Portuguese club to grow as a footballer.
“I was at Benfica for six years and I grew a lot because I went there as a young player and now I’ve become a woman,” Vilão said. “It was a good experience playing for the under-23 national team and in the women’s Champions League, and maybe one day I’ll come back to do that again. But now it’s time to be great in another place. I’m looking to further my career and do the best I can for the Phoenix.
“I want this move to be a success and hopefully it’ll be good for both sides, me and the club. I always think of the team first and I’m a player that really wants to win. I’ve been used to winning a lot. I’m also a hard worker, I’m committed, and I’m consistent.”
Vilão hopes that a strong performance at the club level can lead to opportunities with the Portuguese national team.
“For every player in every country, the ultimate goal is to represent the national team at the senior level, and that’s a big thing for me,” she said. “It’s a dream for me, and the work you put in at the club level helps it become a reality.
“First, I have to think about playing well for the Phoenix, and then I can think about it.”
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