# Jacynta Galabadaarachchi

Jacynta Prema de Nieva Galabadaarachchi (born 6 June 2001), also known as Jacynta Gala, is an Australian professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Campeonato Nacional Feminino club Sporting CP and the Australia women's national under-20 team.

## Early life

Galabadaarachchi began playing soccer at age five after watching her brother play. She was later invited to Manchester City W.F.C. Academy and spent eight weeks training with the team. At age 14, her request to play for an under-15 boys premier league team was denied by Football Federation Victoria; the decision was later overturned.

## Club career
### Melbourne City, 2016–2017

In October 2016 at age 15, Galabadaarachchi signed with Melbourne City for the 2016–17 season, and made five appearances for the club, playing primarily as a striker. After getting limited playing time at Melbourne City, Galabadaarachchi went to England and trained with various professional teams over there. Despite offers she was unable to sign a pro contract as she was under 18.

### Perth Glory, 2018–2019

Galabadaarachchi returned to Australia and signed with Perth Glory for the 2018–19 W-League season.

### West Ham United, 2019–2020

In July 2019, Galabadaarachchi secured a move to English FA WSL side West Ham United.

### Napoli, 2020–2021

Galabadaarachchi signed on loan with Italian team Napoli in September 2020.

### Celtic, 2021–2023

Galabadaarachchi signed for SWPL side Celtic in February 2021. In July 2023, Celtic confirmed that Galabadaarachchi would leave the club.

### Sporting CP, 2023–present

She signed for Portuguese team Sporting CP in July 2023.

## International career

Galabadaarachchi is eligible to represent Australia, Sri Lanka, Argentina and Italy in international football, and has represented the Australian Under-17 team. In February 2017, she was called up for the Matildas for training camp ahead of the 2017 Algarve Cup.

## Personal life

Galabadaarachchi is in a relationship with Swedish footballer Carl Starfelt.

## Career statistics
### Club

    As of 13 July 2020
| Club | Season | League | League | League | National Cup | National Cup | League Cup | League Cup | Continental | Continental | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Apps | Goals |
| Melbourne City | 2016–17 | W-League | 5 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 0 |
| Perth Glory | 2018–19 | W-League | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 0 |
| West Ham United | 2019–20 | FA WSL | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 17 | 0 |
| Napoli | 2020–21 | Serie A | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 0 |
| Celtic | 2020–21 | SWPL 1 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 10 | 1 |
| Celtic | 2021–22 | SWPL 1 | 23 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 28 | 4 |
| Celtic | 2022–23 | SWPL 1 | 30 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 31 | 15 |
| Celtic | Total | Total | 63 | 21 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 69 | 20 |
| Sporting CP | 2023–24 | Campeonato Nacional Feminino | 18 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 29 | 4 |
| Sporting CP | 2024–25 | Campeonato Nacional Feminino | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| Sporting CP | Total | Total | 23 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 40 | 4 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 110 | 24 | 9 | 0 | 12 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 139 | 24 |
* ↑ Includes FA Cup
* ↑ Includes League Cup
* ↑ Includes UEFA Women's Champions League
* ↑ Includes Supertaça de Portugal

## Honours

Melbourne City
* W-League: 2016–17
Celtic
* Scottish Cup: 2022, 2023
* SWPL League Cup: 2021–22
Sporting
* Supertaça de Portugal: 2024