23-year-old Australian international Holly McNamara has recently made a move to Goodison Park, putting pen to paper as she adds to the growing Australian contingent calling England their home away from home.
The number 9, whilst already a well known name for fans of the A-League, looks to bolster her resume, joining the Toffees after an illustrious five-season stint at Melbourne City. Born in Sydney, McNamara made her professional debut for the City Blues at just 18 years old where she scored the game’s only goal. Despite being plagued by three ACL injuries over her blossoming career in Melbourne, McNamara has managed to cement herself as one of the best strikers in the league through her powerful pace and goalscoring threat, earning her two back-to-back golden boots in the 2024/25 and 2025/26 A-League seasons. The silverware doesn’t stop at goals either, having played a crucial role in her team’s success in winning three premiership titles and one championship title before departing the club to pursue an overseas opportunity.
The continued form and resilience despite three long-term injuries has earned McNamara 19 international caps spanning from her debut in 2022, and she has proven to be a frequent addition in the Matildas’ squad, featuring in two Asian Cups, including the Tillies side that made it to the final in 2026.
Now having relocated to Merseyside, joining fellow Australian Clare Wheeler, McNamara will be looking to continue her attacking threat in an Everton project which took down some of the biggest names in the 2025/26 season. Much to her surprise, McNamara will be playing with the famous number 9 pressed onto her back.
In her signing day interview with the club she said:
“I wasn’t expecting it at all. Learning about the history of the number, I think it is huge. I am super privileged. I will not take it for granted for one second moving forward.”
Despite interest from a number of top clubs across Europe and the United States, McNamara believed Everton’s long-term vision and the culture within the club made it the ideal destination.
“It is a good club that has great ambitions and a great project in the next few years – that got me excited. A big thing that drew me towards Everton was also the chance to play in the best league in the world.”
This move marks a huge step in the development of Australian football, as talents are being scouted directly from the domestic league and given a chance on the world’s biggest stage. Heading into what will now be recognised as her “prime years”, McNamara will undoubtedly mark a significant part in Scott Phelan’s side as he looks to turn Everton into a highly competitive and dangerous side.
https://www.evertonfc.com/news/2026/july/21/everton-sign-highly-rated-international-forward
