Kathmandu: Nepal’s star forward and national team captain Sabitra Bhandari ‘Samba’, has signed with Australian A-League Women’s side Wellington Phoenix FC, based in New Zealand.

Phoenix FC confirmed the signing of the prolific 29-year-old for the next two A-League seasons. She is expected to join the squad for pre-season training beginning in September.

Phoenix FC finished ninth in the 12th team A-League last season.

Sabitra, Nepal’s all-time leading goal scorer with 66 goals, makes the move to Australia after spending over a season with French top-tier club En Avant Guingamp, who got relegated last season. Widely regarded as one of South Asia’s finest forwards, she has previously played top-division football in Israel, India, and the Maldives.

Welcoming Sabitra to the club, Phoenix interim head coach Amy Shephard said: “We are proud to welcome Sabitra to the Phoenix whānau and look forward to the impact she will make both on and off the field. Her natural movement, intelligent link-up play, and clinical finishing are qualities we believe will significantly enhance our effectiveness in the final third. Her presence promises to add a new dimension to our attacking play.”

Sabitra, recently appointed captain of the national women’s team, has been in outstanding form. She scored hat-tricks against Sri Lanka and Laos and netted a brace against hosts Uzbekistan in Nepal’s Group ‘F’ campaign at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers.