Matildas teammates send flood of messages over news about Michelle Heyman and partner
The veteran striker has shared some happy personal news amid her career resurgence.
Matildas players are celebrating the news of Michelle Heyman's engagement to her partner, which comes just days after she re-signed with Canberra United in the A-League. Heyman has enjoyed a career resurgence in recent months and returned to the Matildas team for the Paris Olympics.
On Wednesday night, she took to social media to reveal the happy news of her engagement to partner Christine Aldridge. Sharing a photo of her engagement ring, Heyman simply posted: "6/9/24."
Heyman's Matildas teammates were among the many to send their congratulations. Katrina Gorry wrote: "Love love love. Congratulations my favourite people." Alanna Kennedy commented: "Congratulations lovers." While Chloe Logarzo and Clare Wheeler also sent their well-wishes.
Michelle Heyman staying at Canberra despite overseas links
It continues a happy time for Heyman, with the A-League Women's record goalscorer shunning overseas interest to remain at Canberra United last week. The reigning golden boot winner was widely expected to move abroad and had been linked to clubs in England, the US and Europe.
The rumour mill went into overdrive when West Ham United - the home of close friend and Matildas teammate Gorry - accidentally published marketing images of Heyman in their kit. But talks broke down and the move ultimately fell through.
Last week, Canberra confirmed that Heyman, who has scored 111 goals in 181 appearances in the A-League, had signed on for the upcoming season. As a result, the 36-year-old could become the first player to reach 200 appearances in the A-League Women next season.
"I am excited to be continuing my football journey with Canberra United, a club that is incredibly close to my heart," Heyman said in a statement. "I am feeling incredibly good, physically and mentally, and am ready to hit the ground running in the new season."
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Heyman's re-signing is a massive boost for the struggling Canberra outfit, who have already lost big name players Nicki Flannery (to Melbourne Victory) and Chloe Lincoln (Western United). "We are thrilled that Michelle has elected to continue her career in green with us here at Canberra United," coach Antoni Jagarinec said.
"Michelle is unarguably one of the most famous footballers around at the moment, a leading light for the Matildas and a goalscorer of some repute. As our leading scorer last season, she was an inspirational figure to our squad, both on and off the pitch, and I have no doubt she will continue to be so."
Heyman had been a vocal critic of Canberra's instability last season, after the club were only able to continue into the 2024-25 season on the back of a $200,000 grant from the ACT government. Moving forward, expectations are the team will be taken over when a buyer is locked in for a new A-League Men licence in the capital.
with AAP
