Timing right for Saby’s PSG move – Donaldson
Published:Sunday | January 15, 2023 | 12:31 AMDaniel Wheeler - Staff Reporter
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WITH THE World Cup months away, national senior women’s head coach Lorne Donaldson said that the impending move of national defender Allyson Swaby to French giants Paris Saint Germain (PSG) has come at the right time. His comments come as Swaby is...
WITH THE World Cup months away, national senior women’s head coach Lorne Donaldson said that the impending move of national defender Allyson Swaby to French giants Paris Saint Germain (PSG) has come at the right time.
His comments come as Swaby is reportedly closing in on a move to the many-time French champions from her National Women’s Soccer League club, Angel City FC, after one season with the club where she made only two appearances.
Donaldson indicated that a move is imminent, which was the reason behind Swaby’s absence from the Reggae Girlz January training camp that started on Wednesday in Florida and will wrap up tomorrow. He said that it is a significant move in a World Cup year, and is also pleased with the change for goalkeeper Sydney Schneider, who has made the move to the Czech Republic. Schneider was also absent from the camp.
“Swaby was supposed to be at the camp but (she got the opportunity) which we are happy for. She is at PSG right now. Two of our players that we want to see play they have new clubs right now and we are happy for them,” Donaldson told The Sunday Gleaner.
The club has not confirmed the move but according to French newspaper, L’Équipe, Swaby is lined up as a replacement for Estelle Cascarino who is currently linked to Manchester United.
If completed it will be a return to Europe after a year in the United States. She last played in Europe for AS Roma in Italy helping them to the Coppa Italia title in 2021, the club’s first-ever major piece of silverware.
Donaldson said Swaby would be in the competitive environment that he envisioned for her, something that he feels Reggae Girlz will benefit from in the long run as they continue their preparations for the World Cup in July as well as next month’s Cup of Nations tournament in Australia.
“Well, it has to. She will have no choice than to go in there and compete with some of the best players in the world. So she has to go there and be ready. And that is why we are happy for that because we need her in that kind of environment,” Donaldson said.