Durham women sign Venezuelan striker Mariana Speckmaier | OneFootball

Mariana Speckmaier joins Durham women from Melbourne City for an undisclosed feee

WSL2 side Durham women have signed Mariana Speckmaier, with the Venezuelan international joining from Melbourne City.

Mariana Speckmaier signs for Durham women

Mariana Speckmaier spent just one season with Melbourne City in the women’s A-League.

Despite only playing one year in Australia the striker was lethal during her time in the league.

The Venezuelan star was also key for Melbourne in their 2024/25 AFC Champions League journey.

Through the group stage Speckmaier made a great impression with a goal in all three games to send her team through to the knockouts.

Melbourne enjoyed a fruitful journey in the competition but fell at the final hurdle with Wuhan Jiangda winning the cup on penalties.

Speckmaier scored a total of 11 goals across her 28 appearances with City which earned her a move to England.

Speaking after her move to the WSL2 was confirmed, the 27-year-old said: “I’m super excited to get started. I think every player at one point has a dream of playing in England so I’m glad that I get to do that.”

Speckmaier also represented Venezuela at the Copa América Femenina this summer.

WATCH: Mariana Speckmaier first interview with Durham

Will Durham get promoted to the WSL?

Durham finished fourth in the second division last season but they will have higher aspirations for the new campaign.

With the WSL expanding to 14 teams from next year, two WSL2 sides will gain automatic promotion at the end of this season.

The competition is sure to be as fierce as ever in league this year but Durham will certainly fancy themselves to go up.

So far this summer Durham have signed six new players, with Cat Sheppard, Amber Stobbs, Angela Addison, Grace Ede, Tyler Toland and now Speckmaier making for a new-look team in 2025.

Durham women kick off their season on Sunday, September 7th with a trip to Portsmouth,