Lionesses forward Danelle Tan leaves Dortmund to pursue first professional contract

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.

“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.