Sydney FC have secured the return of Matildas goalkeeper Jada Whyman on a two-year contract, bringing one of the most successful goalkeepers in the club’s history back to the Sky Blues.
The 26-year-old returns to Sydney after two seasons in Sweden with AIK and will bolster Head Coach James Slaveski’s squad ahead of the Ninja A-League 2026-27 season, with the FIFA Women’s World Cup on the horizon next June.
Whyman enjoyed a trophy-laden four seasons with Sydney FC between 2020 and 2024, making 73 appearances and helping the Sky Blues win three consecutive Premierships and back-to-back Championships.
She was named 2021 Grand Final Player of the Match and selected in three PFA A-League Women Teams of the Season, as well as the 2024 A-League All Stars squad. Whyman was also selected as goalkeeper in Sydney FC’s 20th Anniversary A-League Women Team.
Whyman said returning to Sydney FC feels like coming home.
“I’m incredibly happy to be coming back to Sydney FC – this club has always felt like home to me,” she said.
“I have so many fantastic memories in Sky Blue and I’m excited to be back with the girls, competing for trophies and hopefully playing regularly again.
“There’s a huge year ahead, particularly with a World Cup next year, and my focus is on performing at my best for Sydney FC and helping us have a successful season.”
Whyman departed Sydney FC in August 2024 to join Swedish top-flight club AIK, having helped the Sky Blues to five major trophies during her first spell.
She quickly established herself as AIK’s first-choice goalkeeper and went on to make 28 competitive appearances for the Stockholm club.
Her time in Sweden was disrupted by injury, including a knee problem late in the 2025 season, before a further setback ahead of the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup ruled her out of the tournament. She subsequently returned to Australia to focus on her recovery.
Head Coach James Slaveski believes Whyman’s experience and winning mentality will be a major addition to his squad.
“Jada is a proven goalkeeper at this level and we’re delighted to bring her back to Sydney FC,” he said.
“She has excellent shot-stopping ability, is composed and brings a huge amount of experience and knowledge of what it takes to win with this club.
“Having Jada behind players such as Charlotte McLean, Natalie Tobin, Kirsty Fenton and young Willa Pearson gives us a really strong defensive foundation, and I’m looking forward to seeing that group develop together.”
Whyman will form part of a strong Sky Blues goalkeeping unit for the new campaign, with Sydney FC also confirming the re-signings of Tiahna Robertson and Young Matildas goalkeeper Alyse Oppedisano for the Ninja A-League 2026-27 season.
Slaveski said the trio will provide healthy competition throughout the campaign.
“We’re very pleased with the goalkeeping group we’ve assembled,” he said.
“Jada brings enormous experience, while Tiahna and Alyse are talented young goalkeepers who have bright futures and will continue to develop within our environment.
“We want competition for every position and we believe we have three very good goalkeepers who will push each other every day.”
Whyman originally joined Sydney FC ahead of the 2020-21 season and made an immediate impact, helping the Sky Blues claim the Premiership and producing a Player of the Match performance in the Grand Final.
She would go on to become the most successful goalkeeper of Sydney FC’s A-League Women era before earning her move to Europe in 2024.
Whyman, Robertson and Oppedisano will join their Sky Blue team-mates when Sydney FC’s Ninja A-League squad returns to Sky Park on September 1 for the start of pre-season training.
