Melbourne Victory is pleased to announce the signing of New Zealand international, Claudia Bunge for the 2024/25 A-League Women’s season.
The 24-year-old returns to the Club from Danish Women’s Super League side HB Koge after spending the past season in Denmark.
A dual-Championship winner during her first stint at the Club, Bunge made 45 appearances over three seasons at Melbourne Victory, playing an important role at the heart of the side’s defence.
The Kiwi also featured for her nation at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup having 28 senior caps for the Football Ferns throughout her career.
Melbourne Victory Head Coach Jeff Hopkins said he was thrilled to have Bunge back at Melbourne Victory.
“We’re incredibly pleased to welcome back a familiar face in Claudia for the upcoming season,” Hopkins said.
“Her range of defensive skills, reliability and leadership on the park is what sets her apart from a lot of players in the league and she will be an invaluable asset for us this season.
“She helped create a formidable defensive group during our Championship seasons and we’re looking for her to do the same with some new and familiar faces around her this season as well.
Bunge was also glad to be back at Victory for the upcoming season.
“It’s great to be back at Melbourne Victory and I can’t wait to get started,” Bunge said.
“I had a great experience in Europe where I learned a lot about myself and my football and I’m looking to achieve even more with Victory this season.
“The Club and the team feels like home to me and to be working with Jeff and this group once again this season is something that’s really special for me and I’m hoping to lift even more silverware with this team at the end of the year.”
Bunge is the fourth new signing of the A-League Women’s joining Alana Jancevski, Nicki Flannery, Sofia Sakalis and Ellie Wilson as Jeff Hopkins’ side returns to pre-season training on Monday 23 September in preparation for the 2024/25 campaign.
