Western Sydney Wanderers FC are excited to announce the signing of Filipino-American defender Janae DeFazio for the upcoming Ninja A-League season.
DeFazio brings a wealth of international experience and versatility, having represented the Philippines national team and played in competitive leagues across the United States, Portugal and Philippines.
Born in Folsom, California, Janae DeFazio developed her footballing skills through a strong collegiate career at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she made 37 appearances and contributed significantly to the Bruins’ midfield and defensive lines from 2019 to 2023. Her technical ability, tactical awareness, and work ethic stood out throughout her time at UCLA, laying a solid foundation for her professional career.
DeFazio made her professional debut with the Kansas City Current in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in 2024, before a short stint with Portugal’s Racing Power in the Campeonato Nacional Feminino. Most recently, she featured for Makati FC in the Philippines’ PFF Women’s League, where she continued to demonstrate her defensive prowess.
Internationally, DeFazio has been a proud member of the Philippines women’s national football team since 2024. She earned her first cap in a 3–0 victory over Jordan during the Pink Ladies Week tournament in Turkey, providing an early assist in the match.
Since then, she has earned eight caps, contributing to the team’s rising profile on the international stage.
Western Sydney Wanderers Ninja A-League head coach Geoff Abrahams welcomed Janae to Australia and the club.
“I’m excited to welcome Janae to the Western Sydney Wanderers. She brings international experience to our young squad and despite still being young, has already achieved a lot in football,” said Abrahams.
“I want to grow as a player from what I’ve seen so far, this is an amazing environment for me to grow and I’m hoping to achieve a lot of wins with this team and do really well in the A-Leagues.”
Janae DeFazio said she was ready for the challenge with the Red & Black.
“So there a few reasons why I chose to come to the Wanderers. I’ve heard such good things about this club, I know a couple of former players and they just had so many good things to say,” said DeFazio.
“That was definitely a reason and I’m pretty early in my professional career, so I wanted a new challenge and I thought coming to Western Sydney was a good challenge for the next step in my career.
“I want to grow as a player and this is an amazing environment for me to grow in. I’m hoping to achieve a lot of wins with this team and do really well in the A-Leagues.”
