Taren King (born 24 December 1996) is an Australian soccer player who plays as a defender for the Central Coast Mariners. King is currently the captain of the team.

Taren King
Personal information
Date of birth (1996-12-24) 24 December 1996 (age 27)
Place of birth Shellharbour, Australia
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
Central Coast Mariners
Number 18
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017–2020 Canberra United 22 (0)
2020–2023 Newcastle Jets 34 (1)
2023– Central Coast Mariners 10 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18 March 2024

Career

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King began her professional career at A-League Women's side Canberra United FC, who signed the young defender ahead of the 2017–18 season. She quickly impressed manager Heather Garriock as she contested for the team's starting center-back position.[1]

After making limited appearances for Canberra across three seasons, King joined the Newcastle Jets in 2020. In her first two seasons at the club, she established a strong partnership with Hannah Brewer at the heart of Newcastle's defense.[2] In September 2022, King re-signed with the club.[3]

In August 2023, Newcastle Jets announced that King departed the club to pursue another opportunity.[4]

King signed for Newcastle’s F3 Derby rivals, the Central Coast Mariners, later that day. [5] King was later announced as captain of the Mariners team, leading them in their first season back in the A-League Women competition.[6] Unfortunately, midway through the season, King ruptured her ACL, ruling her out for the rest of the season. [7]

Personal life

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King's younger brother Joel is also a professional footballer who represents the Australian national team.[8]

References

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  1. ^ "Canberra's Comeback King". The Women's Game. 17 August 2018.
  2. ^ "She started out playing rugby union: Why defender Taren King is keen to make up for lost time with the Newcastle Jets". Newcastle Herald. 5 September 2022.
  3. ^ "Taren King Re-Signs". Newcastle Jets FC. 1 September 2022.
  4. ^ Newcastle Jets [@NewcastleJetsFC] (17 August 2023). "The Newcastle Jets can confirm that Taren King has departed the club to pursue another opportunity. The club would like to wish Taren all the best for her future" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  5. ^ "Former Jet Taren King signs with Central Coast Mariners". Central Coast Mariners. 17 August 2023.
  6. ^ "Taren King named Central Coast Mariners A-League Women captain". Central Coast Mariners. 11 October 2023.
  7. ^ "Injury update: Taren King". Central Coast Mariners. 20 January 2024.
  8. ^ Smithies, Tom (24 June 2021). "Sydney FC star Joel King reflects on path to second grand final". news.com.au.