Hailey Davidson

#18 HAILEY DAVIDSON – DOB 10/11/00

Hailey Davidson is one of the Wellington Phoenix’s four visa players for the 2023-24 A-League season.

The exciting American fullback has joined the Phoenix after a short stint at Mallbacken in Sweden’s Elitettan.

It was Davidson’s first professional contract, following a celebrated collegiate career.

Originally from Dallas, Texas, the right back played two seasons at the University of Oklahoma before transferring to the University of Pittsburgh, where she played under Nigeria women’s head coach Randy Waldrum and helped lead the Pitt Panthers to their most successful season last year.

> 2022-23 season

Hailey Davidson graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in December and entered the 2023 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) draft in January.

Davidson went undrafted but got called into the Houston Dash’s pre-season camp, where she first met fellow visa signing Hope Breslin.

She then signed a short-term contract with Mallbacken in March and played in Sweden’s second division until early July.

Davidson jumped at the opportunity to join the Phoenix after a couple of trials in Europe didn’t result in contract offers.

“My agent and Paul [Temple] had been in contact since May and I was so excited when Paul reached out to me and we got talking,” Davidson said.

“He seemed really positive about me as a player and he really liked what he saw.

“It was a super simple, easy process for me signing with Wellington.

“I’ve heard great things about the A-League and I think New Zealand is a beautiful place to live and play football.”