Red-hot striker Sarina Bolden has left the A-League Women for Italy, leaving Newcastle Jets on the hunt for a goalscorer.
Bolden was granted release on Monday from the final year of her contract, with the Jets agreeing to let her pursue a dream of playing in a top European league.
The Philippines international joins an "unnamed Italian side" after joining Newcastle from Western Sydney last season.
"Sarina has a strong international football ambition, this understandably has had a number of European clubs pursue her," Newcastle chief Shane Mattiske said in a club statement.
"Through conversations with her, we’ve agreed to settle a transfer which will allow her to follow her ambitions to play overseas.
"We wish her and her partner all the best for the future and we would love to see Sarina back in Newcastle playing for the Jets again in the future.
"Sarina made a huge contribution to the club last season and she will be sorely missed by our team and, of course, our fans."
Bolden, off the back of representing the Philippines at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, made her debut for the Jets barely two hours after her signing was announced in round 6 of the 2023/24 season.
The electric forward scored twice in her debut to lead Newcastle to a 4-3 win over Canberra United, going on to score 14 goals across 20 games.
Her goal haul at the Jets breaks the club's record for the most goals in an A-League Women’s season.
As such, Bolden's form was rewarded with inclusion in the 2023/24 A-League Women PFA Team of the Season.
