Leia Varley

Leia Varley
Personal information
Date of birth (2002-01-30) 30 January 2002
Place of birth Finley, New South Wales, Australia
Height 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position Defender
Team information
Current team
 1. FC Nürnberg
Number 7
Youth career
Goulburn Valley Suns
2016–2017 Football Victoria NTC
2018 Box Hill United
2019 South Melbourne
2021–2022 Football Victoria NTC
2022–2023 Newcastle Jets
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021–2022 Adelaide United 5 (0)
2023 South Melbourne
2023–2024 Melbourne City 5 (0)
2024–2026 Brisbane Roar 30 (1)
2026– 1. FC Nürnberg 2 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 16:14, 14 February 2026 (UTC)

Leia Varley (/ˈliː.ə/ LEE-ə;[1] born 30 January 2002) is an Australian soccer player who plays as a centre back for Frauen-Bundesliga club 1. FC Nürnberg.[2] She previously played for National Premier Leagues Victoria Women (NPL Victoria Women) club South Melbourne and A-League Women clubs Adelaide United, Melbourne City[3] and Brisbane Roar.[4]

Early life

Varley was born on 30 January 2002 in the town of Finley, New South Wales, and grew up in Shepparton, Victoria.[5][6] In her youth years, she played for Goulburn Valley Suns, Football Victoria NTC (over two stints), Box Hill United and South Melbourne.[4]

Club career

Adelaide United

Varley signed for A-League Women club Adelaide United ahead of the 2021–22 season.[7] She made her debut on 5 December 2021, coming on as a substitute in a 5–1 away Original Rivalry loss to Melbourne Victory at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in East Melbourne in the opening round.[8] She was released by the club at the end of the season.[9]

South Melbourne

Varley signed for National Premier Leagues Victoria Women (NPL Victoria Women) club South Melbourne ahead of the 2023 season.[10]

Melbourne City

Varley signed for A-League Women club Melbourne City ahead of the 2023–24 season, signing on a one-year scholarship deal.[11] She made her debut on 9 December 2023, starting in a 3–1 home loss to Perth Glory at B.T. Connor Reserve in Reservoir.[12] At the end of the season, the club won the premiership (having finished first on the league table), but did not win the championship (as they lost the grand final 1–0 at home to Sydney FC). She departed the club at the end of the season following the expiration of her contract.[13]

Brisbane Roar

Varley signed for A-League Women club Brisbane Roar ahead of the 2024–25 season.[14][15] She made her debut on 2 November 2024, starting in a 3–2 away loss to Canberra United at McKellar Park in McKellar, Canberra in the opening round.[16] She scored her first goal on 29 December 2024, scoring the Roar's fourth goal in an 8–2 away win over Western United at Ironbark Fields in Tarneit, Melbourne.[17] During the season, she extended her contract with the club until 2027.[18]

During the 2025–26 season, Varley left Brisbane Roar midseason to move to Germany to join Frauen-Bundesliga club 1. FC Nürnberg.[19]

1. FC Nürnberg

Varley signed for Frauen-Bundesliga club 1. FC Nürnberg during the 2025–26 season as a Deadline Day signing in the winter transfer window.[20]

Personal life

Varley is known for her height, being 184 centimetres (six feet) tall, much higher than the average female height.[2]

References

  1. ^ A-Leagues; DubZone; Brisbane Roar (27 October 2025). "Learn to pronounce every @brisbaneroarfc player's name ahead of the Ninja A-League season! 👏 🟠 🗣️". Instagram.
  2. ^ a b "Leia Varley" (in German). 1. FC Nürnberg.
  3. ^ "Leia Varley". Melbourne City.
  4. ^ a b "Leia Varley". Brisbane Roar.
  5. ^ Nash, Liam (4 February 2026). "Finley's Leia Varley departs Brisbane Roar to join German side 1. FC Nürnberg". Shepparton News.
  6. ^ "FV Emerging stars earn A-League contracts".
  7. ^ "Reds add Taranto and Varley to Women's squad". Adelaide United. 15 November 2021.
  8. ^ "Melbourne Victory 5–1 Adelaide United". A-Leagues. 5 December 2021.
  9. ^ "2022–23 Season Preview – Adelaide United". Beyond90. 17 November 2022.
  10. ^ Kouroumalis, George (17 November 2022). "Leia Varley returns to Lakeside in 2023". South Melbourne.
  11. ^ "ALW squad numbers: who's wearing what?". Melbourne City. 12 October 2023.
  12. ^ "Melbourne City 1–3 Perth Glory". A-Leagues. 9 December 2023.
  13. ^ "ALW UPDATE: squad continues to build strongly". Melbourne City. 9 August 2024.
  14. ^ "Premiership winning central defender Leia Varley joins Brisbane Roar". Brisbane Roar. 20 September 2024.
  15. ^ Comito, Matt (20 September 2024). "Roar sign Premiership-winner in reunion with former coach: "I'm ready to make a name for myself"". A-Leagues.
  16. ^ "Canberra United 3–2 Brisbane Roar". A-Leagues. 2 November 2024.
  17. ^ "Western United 2–8 Brisbane Roar". A-Leagues. 29 December 2024.
  18. ^ "Brisbane Roar extends Leia Varley on a new two-year deal". Brisbane Roar. 10 February 2025.
  19. ^ "Leia Varley secures permanent transfer to 1. FC Nürnberg in the German Frauen-Bundesliga". Brisbane Roar. 3 February 2026.
  20. ^ "Leia Varley kommt aus Brisbane zum Club" [Leia Varley joins the club from Brisbane Roar] (in German). 1. FC Nürnberg. 3 February 2026.
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