Matildas legend Tameka Yallop has departed the Brisbane Roar to move to New Zealand and be closer to her young family.

The veteran midfielder will link up with Wellington Phoenix for the 2026-27 A-League Women’s season, with the Roar to retire her jersey number 13 in honour of their most capped player (179) – a milestone reached across multiple stints in a career that’s taken her to the US, Germany, Japan, Sweden and Norway.

She is married to former New Zealand international player Kirsty Yallop – who had an eight-game stint for the Roar in the 2015-16 season – and the couple share two daughters.

Yallop stands among the most decorated players in Australian soccer, mustering 134 appearances for her country, and is Brisbane’s all-time leading goalscorer (74).

She becomes the first player across the men’s and women’s Roar programs to have their number retired.

“I’m not saying goodbye to Brisbane as Roar will always be my home. The orange jersey is heavily immersed in my football journey and it will forever be a part of me,” said the 35-year-old, who won three premierships with the club.

"I am so proud and honoured to have lifted trophies and shared the field with such incredible players and people throughout my time at the club.

"I am Roar's number one fan and will forever be cheering on the girls and anyone who puts on that jersey.

“We have so many amazing young players coming through, I’m excited to follow their football journey and will, of course, be a source of support whenever I’m needed.”

In an interview with this masthead in March, Yallop confirmed she would ensure she remained a selection contender for the Matildas’ 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign, having missed this year’s Asian Cup after suffering a hamstring injury that ultimately required surgery.

But her Brisbane departure comes at a time of transition for the Roar, who have also unveiled a new coach following Alex Smith’s move to Major League Soccer outfit Brooklyn FC.

In his place, Brisbane appointed former Melbourne Victory assistant Johnathan Clemente, who at 27 becomes the youngest head coach in A-League history.

Clemente has already charted a successful path in the women’s space, a course which began as a 19-year-old when he led the recently relegated Essendon Royals back into Victoria’s premier competition in his first season.

At 20, he then became head coach of Heidelberg United in the National Premier League, and developed 10 players from that group into ALW squad members.

The 2025-26 Roar squad which suffered a 3-2 aggregate semi-final loss – to the Phoenix – has an average age of just 23. But Clemente insisted youthfulness was more enticing than a deterrent.

He said his focus would be on continuing Smith's vision in promoting local talent, and giving them the opportunity to become the next generation of Matildas.

“I see exciting parallels between Brisbane Roar and my own journey. We’ve been hungry, ambitious and have spent the past few years building strong foundations,” Clemente said.

“Now it’s our time to come together and establish ourselves at the pinnacle of women’s football in this country.”