New signings for Dons Ladies
AFC Wimbledon Ladies manager Chris Lyons has added two new signings for 2015/16 as he aims to build on the club’s success last season.
Striker Kelly-Jade Whelan and goalkeeper Shanell Salgado (left and right in picture) have both joined the Dons.
Kelly-Jade wasted no time showing her qualities back in a Wimbledon shirt with a goal in the 3-1 friendly win against Enfield Town Ladies on Sunday. She has re-signed for AFC Wimbledon Ladies after a spell working in Germany.
Goalkeeper Shanell Salgado has signed for the Dons permanently from Chertsey after her brief training period with Wimbledon last season.
Following a top-three finish in the league last season and success in the Surrey Women’s Cup, Chris Lyons believes the double signing will complement an already strong squad.
“Having finished the previous season so strong, I was already happy with my squad,” said Chris. “There wasn’t a great deal that needed changing so we were very careful about who joined us. For me, that was really important because we didn’t want to disrupt anything.
“Adding two more quality players such as Kelly and Tash (Shanell) makes me very happy and gives us more options. They both know the club from either playing or training with us so their transition into the squad has been easier and there’s been less time needed getting to know each other.
“To land Kelly’s signature, we had to compete against a WSL2 side and we’re particularly happy to have her at the club. From the moment she put a Dons shirt back on, she has shown an almost telepathic understanding with our other forwards. In her previous stint with us she was netting a goal a game, but I’m confident she will add even more potency for us up front.
“Tash is a very good young goalkeeper and she will give Liane Tylee serious competition for a regular place. She has stepped up to our standard incredibly well, and is showing a lot of confidence in her ability. Technically Tash is very strong, and being young she will improve even more as time goes on. Last season, Ashleigh McGuigan stepped up to do a very good job for us so adding Tash to the goalkeeping group means we’re now very strong in that area.
“All in all, I’m very happy with the squad, and with these two signings we have instilled more confidence and quality into the group. It’s now about finding the form that served us so well last season and guarding against complacency. From there our football will take care of itself, and the results will follow. From what I’ve seen from my players and how they’ve returned from the break, we are as ready as ever and keen to get the season started.”