| Jacynta Galabadaarachchi | |
| Fullname: | Jacynta Prema de Nieva Galabadaarachchi |
| Birth Date: | 2001 6, df=yes |
| Birth Place: | Dandenong, Australia |
| Height: | 1.55m[1] |
| Position: | Forward |
| Currentclub: | Sporting CP |
| Clubnumber: | 28 |
| Youthclubs1: | Kingston City |
| Years1: | 2016–2017 |
| Clubs1: | Melbourne City |
| Caps1: | 5 |
| Goals1: | 0 |
| Years2: | 2018–2019 |
| Clubs2: | Perth Glory |
| Caps2: | 4 |
| Goals2: | 0 |
| Years3: | 2019–2020 |
| Clubs3: | West Ham United |
| Caps3: | 11 |
| Goals3: | 0 |
| Years4: | 2020–2021 |
| Clubs4: | Napoli |
| Caps4: | 4 |
| Goals4: | 0 |
| Years5: | 2021–2023 |
| Clubs5: | Celtic |
| Caps5: | 25 |
| Goals5: | 15 |
| Years6: | 2023– |
| Clubs6: | Sporting CP |
| Caps6: | 23 |
| Goals6: | 3 |
| Nationalyears1: | 2016–2018 |
| Nationalteam1: | Australia U17 |
| Nationalyears2: | 2018 |
| Nationalteam2: | Australia U20 |
| Nationalcaps2: | 1 |
| Nationalgoals2: | 0 |
| Pcupdate: | 20 October 2024 |
| Ntupdate: | 31 October 2018 |
Jacynta Prema de Nieva Galabadaarachchi (born 6 June 2001), also known as Jacynta Gala,[2] [3] is an Australian professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Campeonato Nacional Feminino club Sporting CP and the Australia women's national under-20 team.
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]
In October 2016 at age 15, Galabadaarachchi signed with Melbourne City for the 2016–17 season,[6] and made five appearances for the club, 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.[7]
Galabadaarachchi returned to Australia and signed with Perth Glory for the 2018–19 W-League season.[8]
In July 2019, Galabadaarachchi secured a move to English FA WSL side West Ham United.[9]
Galabadaarachchi signed on loan with Italian team Napoli in September 2020.[10]
Galabadaarachchi signed for SWPL side Celtic in February 2021.[11] In July 2023, Celtic confirmed that Galabadaarachchi would leave the club.[12]
She signed for Portuguese team Sporting CP in July 2023.[13]
Galabadaarachchi is eligible to represent Australia, Sri Lanka, Argentina and Italy in international football,[14] [15] 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.[16] [17]
She has a relationship with Swedish footballer Carl Starfelt.[18] [19]
| Club | Season | League | National Cup[21] | League Cup[22] | Continental | Other | Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Apps | Goals | |||
| Melbourne City | 2016–17 | W-League | 5 | 0 | — | — | 5 | 0 | |||||||
| Perth Glory | 2018–19 | 4 | 0 | — | — | 4 | 0 | ||||||||
| West Ham United | 2019–20 | FA WSL | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | — | 17 | 0 | ||||
| Napoli | 2020–21 | Serie A | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 4 | 0 | ||||
| Celtic | 2020–21 | SWPL 1 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 10 | 1 | ||||
| 2021–22 | SWPL 1 | 23 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | — | 28 | 4 | |||||
| 2022–23 | SWPL 1 | 30 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 31 | 15 | |||||
| Total | 63 | 21 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 1 | — | 69 | 20 | ||||||
| 2023–24 | Campeonato Nacional Feminino | 18 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 29 | 4 | ||
| 2024–25 | Campeonato Nacional Feminino | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 0 | ||
| Total | 23 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 40 | 4 | |||
| Career total | 110 | 24 | 9 | 0 | 12 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 139 | 24 | |||
Melbourne City
Celtic
Sporting