SINGAPORE – Having become the first Singaporean footballer to win a league title in Europe, Danelle Tan is ready for the next step of her career, with her first professional contract beckoning Down Under.
On July 22, it was confirmed that the 19-year-old Singaporean forward will be leaving German club Borussia Dortmund to pursue a career in the top-tier A-League Women.
Tan had initially planned to stay at Dortmund for another season, but offers then came from top Australian sides.
She told The Straits Times from Germany: “The football world is funny. Things change very suddenly and unexpectedly.
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“I received several offers from professional clubs in Australia. I felt that this would be the right move for me to develop even further. The league has many young talented players.
“I will miss a lot about Dortmund. It was an incredibly tough decision to make because I’ve really come to love Dortmund and the people here. I leave with many good memories and a wealth of experiences.”
Tan, who will decide which A-League club’s offer to accept in the coming week, will become only the second female Singaporean to play in the Australian top tier, after former national midfielder Lim Shiya, who played for Perth Glory from 2008 to 2009.
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Lions defender Safuwan Baharudin had also featured for Melbourne City during the 2014-2015 A-League season.
The A-League Women, in which many of Australia’s national players rose to prominence, has also become a platform for players and coaches to earn moves to bigger stages such as the Women’s Super League in England.
Those who have made such moves include Chelsea superstar Sam Kerr and Manchester City’s Mary Fowler. Other prominent A-League alumnae include Ellie Carpenter, who won the Uefa Women’s Champions League twice with French side Lyon and Hayley Raso, who has played for Man City and Real Madrid.
Lions defender Safuwan Baharudin had also featured for Melbourne City during the 2014-2015 A-League season.
The A-League Women, in which many of Australia’s national players rose to prominence, has also become a platform for players and coaches to earn moves to bigger stages such as the Women’s Super League in England.
Those who have made such moves include Chelsea superstar Sam Kerr and Manchester City’s Mary Fowler. Other prominent A-League alumnae include Ellie Carpenter, who won the Uefa Women’s Champions League twice with French side Lyon and Hayley Raso, who has played for Man City and Real Madrid.
Established in 2021, the Dortmund women’s team are not considered professional.
Last season, Tan, the first Asian to play for Dortmund women’s team, contributed 16 goals in 27 matches as BVB Frauen won the fifth-division Landesliga and earned their third consecutive promotion in three years.
This prompted a raucous ovation from more than 80,000 fans at the Signal Iduna Park. They also clinched the regional Kreispokal Cup.
When asked what stood out in her time in Dortmund, Tan said: “I don’t think it’s a specific memory but more so the friendships and relationships I’ve formed with the people here.”
She added that the stint has “forced” her to grow as a player on the field and a person off it.
Tan has racked up milestones since becoming the youngest player to score for Singapore while making her competitive debut as a 14-year-old in a 2-1 loss to Timor-Leste at the 2019 Asean Football Federation Women’s Championship.
On July 16, Tan notched her latest feat with her first international hat-trick in a 9-0 win against Macau.
More milestones and accolades await her in Australia.
She said: “The football journey is long and I’m just taking it step by step. I’m sure there will be many more twists and turns ahead. That’s football. It changes constantly and quickly.
“I’m confident that the best is yet to be, so I look back at my time in Dortmund with fondness but push myself forward with drive and ambition.”
