Durham Women are delighted to announce the signing of international striker Mariana Speckmaier from Melbourne City for an undisclosed fee.
The Venezuelan senior international joins the Blues having recently featured at the Copa América Femenina and off the back of another standout goalscoring campaign in the Australian A-League.
Born in Miami, the 27-year-old attended Clemson University before entering the NWSL Draft in 2021, where she was selected by Washington Spirit.
Spells with CSKA Moscow in Russia and Valur in Iceland followed before Speckmaier returned to the Spirit in 2023. She made five appearances during her second spell in the NWSL and scored a stunning long/range goal in injury time to secure a 1-0 win over Orlando Pride.
The forward then made the move to the A-League and joined Wellington Phoenix – where she played alongside Michaela Foster.
Her debut season with The Nix was a resounding success, as Speckmaier scored ten goals in 21 appearances during a standout campaign.
That brought interest from elsewhere and Melbourne City sealed a deal for the striker last summer – with Speckmaier going on to score seven goals en route to the side being crowned A-League Premiers.
She also played a key role in Melbourne’s run to the Asian Champions League final, scoring four goals in the competition which was the joint-second-highest tally.
Speckmaier is also a regular in the Venezuelan national team, with 13 caps and three goals to her name. The forward featured prominently for her nation during the recent Copa América Femenina.
And having now arrived on English shores, the striker is ready to make her mark in Durham.
“I’m super excited to get started,” she said.
“I think every player at one point has a dream of playing in England so I’m glad that I get to do that.”
The striker will wear the number 17 shirt at Maiden Castle.
The deal remains subject to league, FA and FIFA approval, as well as receipt of international clearance.
Would you like to sponsor Mariana’s home, away or third kit, or another one of our squad, for the 2025/26 season?
Our player sponsorship packages are now available and include a number of benefits – including:
- Your player’s unique, match-worn shirt at the end of the season
- 2 x Season Tickets guaranteeing you entry to every home game
- A half-page advert in every issue of our match day programme
- Your logo and a link to your website on our official club site
- Social media promotion
- Plus much, much more!
Email mark.donnelly@durhamwfc.co.uk for more information.
