SOLOMON Islands women’s football international, Ileen Pegi has made history by becoming the first female footballer to sign an international transfer deal from Koloale FC with AS Feminine of New Caledonia.
She will leave the country this afternoon, paving the way for more women’s footballers in the country to follow in her footsteps.
Ileen is known for her goal-scoring ability and speed in attack, which caught the attention of the French territory champions.
The 31-year-old will now feature in the New Caledonian women’s national championship, the top division for women’s football in the country.
AS Feminine has a successful record, having won the New Caledonia National Championship three times, the New Caledonia Cup four times, and the inaugural OFC Women’s Champions League in 2023.
“I’m super excited about this opportunity to excel in my career,” Ileen said upon her departure.
“Representing the Solomon Islands women’s football has always been my passion and dream, and setting this milestone will inspire more females to get involved in football.”
She has contributed significantly to her local club’s success in winning the Solrais Women’s Premier League title in 2022 and the first club to represent the country at the OFC Women’s Champions League 2023.
She also captained the side that finished runners-up in the recent OFC Women’s Olympic Qualifiers 2024 behind New Zealand.
Her move sets a new benchmark for women’s football transfers and signifies the increasing recognition and valuation of Solomon Islands players in the international and regional football community.
As she embarks on this new chapter in her career, Ileen aims to continue captivating fans with her exceptional talent and contributing to her new club’s success on the pitch.
