Western United striker reveals how she brokered her move to Canada and the Northern Super League via Facetime

Kahli Johnson is willing to do anything to achieve her dream of playing football overseas - including moving halfway around the world to an apartment she has only seen via Facetime.

Kahli Johnson had no plans of letting something like distance get in the way of chasing her dreams to play football overseas instead brokering every aspect of her historic deal via Facetime.

From contract negotiations, to meeting her new coach and even choosing an apartment - Johnson did it all without stepping foot in Calgary or leaving Melbourne.

The A-League’s Women’s striker will at this stage be the only Australian playing in the brand new Northern Super League in Canada.

It is a big step up for the 21-year-old who has got her start at Sydney FC before joining the inaugural Western United side in 2022.

Johnson said the move to Melbourne had been a test run for her ultimate dream of playing overseas.

Kahli Johnson moved from Sydney to the Melbourne based Wetern United in 2022. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

“When I left Sydney, it was the right time to go and I wanted to go to a different club outside of Sydney to be able to move out of home,” Johnson said.

“The last three years of living out of home and learning to do that has really prepared me for moving on.

“It will obviously be a bit different living in a different country, that always comes with its own challenges, but I’m excited to see what it brings.”

Unlike the move to Western United Johnson’s only contact with her new coach Lydia Bedford at Calgary Wild has been via Facetime.

It is also how she had her contract discussions and toured her new apartment.

“The club has been really supportive in helping sort everything out – I had a little apartment tour over Facetime, which was nice, but definitely new as well,” Johnson said.

“It’s been fun but a lot of work, obviously you have to get visas in place as well but it will all be worth it in the end.”

Johnson said she hasn’t even visited Canada on a holiday before.

But her sister lived there for several years and has been filling her in and preparing her for the cold winters.

While Johnson was surprised at how quickly an overseas opportunity arose those watching her in the ALW were not caught off guard.

The forward has been in cracking form for Western United and is a key reason they sit fourth on the table. She has scored eight goals in 17 matches -making her the leader in the golden boot race.

Kahli Johnson can expect a salary double what she was earning in the ALW. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

“It was definitely a goal of mine to move overseas sometime soon but I was just waiting for the right time and the right move to come, and it worked out this way,” Johnson said.

Western United had no issues releasing their star mid-season and pocketing the club’s first transfer fee for a women’s player.

The player wages for the new Canadian league are double what the ALW athletes are paid but Johnson said that wasn’t a factor.

“It’s not so much moving from the A-League’s, it was always just a goal of mine to player overseas, it’s one of those careers where you can be fortunate enough to play overseas and get paid for it -it’s been a dream since I was a kid,” Johnson said.

She said a chance to learn from her new teammates and rivals – many of which are from the Canadian national women’s team, and play under Bedford, the first woman to coach at a premier league club. After her role at Brentford she coached Leicester’s women’s team and also at Arsenal.

“England is a very football driven country so I can’t wait to learn from her and from all the girls in the team that have a lot of different knowledge,” Johnson said.

Before she jumps on the plane Canada Johnson has one more match for Western United this weekend against rival Melbourne club Victory.

Kahli Johnson will become the only Aussie in the new Northern Super League based in Canada. Picture: Scott Gardiner/Getty Images

It is a full circle moment for Johnson with her first game for the club also being against Victory.

“It is bittersweet,” the striker said.

“When I told the girls and people around the club they were all incredibly excited and it’s amazing to have their support but there is also a little bit of sadness to it.

“It’s been my home for a couple of years now and I’ve made some incredible friendships and met some really amazing people so leaving that will be tough.

“I’m just really hoping for a great game and a chance to say goodbye to the fans.

“I’m not too fussed about the golden boot but it would be great to get a goal for my send off.”

Western United will host Melbourne Victory on Saturday at 6pm.

Originally published as Western United striker reveals how she brokered her move to Canada and the Northern Super League via Facetime