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Lydia Grace Yilkari Williams (born 13 May 1988) is an Australian professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for A-League Women club Melbourne Victory and the Australia national team. Williams previously played for Melbourne City and Canberra United in Australia's W-League; Reign FC, Houston Dash and the Western New York Flash in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) in the United States; Piteå IF in Sweden's Damallsvenskan; and Arsenal in England's FA Women's Super League (WSL). Williams was twice-named PFA Women's Footballer of the Year for 2011–12 and 2015–16 and to the PFA W-League Team of the Season for 2016–17. She was awarded W-League Goalkeeper of the Year for the 2010–11, 2011–12, and 2016–17 seasons. Inducted to the Aboriginal and Islander Sports Hall of Fame, she earned for her first cap for the Australian national team, commonly known as the Matildas, at age 16. She is the author of the children's book, Saved!!!, published in 2019. Early life and education Lydia Grace Yilkari Williams was born on 13 May 1988 in Katanning, Western Australia. Williams was raised by her Aboriginal father and American mother in the regional mining town of Kalgoorlie. She spent most of her primary school years in Kalgoorlie, where she attended St Joseph's School. Williams' family left Kalgoorlie for Canberra when she was eleven years old. In November 2019, Williams authored a children's book called, Saved!!!, which drew on her life experiences, from growing up in the desert to achieving success as an Aboriginal female football player. Club career After playing junior football for Tuggeranong and Woden in the Australian Capital Territory, Williams joined the Australian Institute of Sport Football Program. Williams joined Australian W-League team Canberra United in 2008 and made 11 appearances for the club as their starting goalkeeper during the 2009 W-League season. Canberra finished in fourth place during the regular season with a 4–4–2 record, earning a berth to the Playoffs. Canberra was defeated 3–0 by eventual Grand Final winners, Sydney FC. During the 2010–11 W-League, Williams was the starting goalkeeper in all eleven matches. Canberra finished in third place with a 5–3–2 record. After advancing to the Playoffs, they faced Brisbane Roar in the semi-finals and tied 2–2 leading to a penalty kick shootout in which Canberra lost 2–4. Western New York Flash, Canberra United and Houston Dash: 2014–17 In 2014, the Western New York Flash signed Williams to be their starting goalkeeper following a season-ending injury to Adrianna Franch. Williams started 14 games in goal for the Flash. She recorded two shutouts in 2014 prior to suffering a season-ending ACL injury while competing at the 2014 AFC Women's Asian Cup with the Australian national team. In September 2014, Williams was waived by the Flash and was selected by Washington Spirit for the 2015 season, though she did not play for the team. After returning to Australia, Williams played for Canberra United for the 2015–16 W-League season. She was the starting goalkeeper in the 10 games in which she played and helped Canberra finish second in the regular season with a 8–2–2 record, earning a berth to the Playoffs. Canberra was defeated 1–0 by Sydney FC's controversial goal in the semi-finals. In January 2016, Williams signed with the Houston Dash. She was the starting goalkeeper in all 15 games that she played. Two of her saves were voted Save of the Week by fans in Week 5 and 19. The Dash finished in eighth place during the regular season with a 6–10–4 record. Melbourne City (loan): 2016–17 Following the season, Williams signed on loan with Melbourne City for the 2016–17 W-League. Williams was the starting goalkeeper in 15 games helping Melbourne City finish in fourth place during the regular season with a 6–4–2 record, securing a berth to the Finals. Williams was described as "impenetrable" after holding Canberra United to a 1–0 shutout in extra time during the semi-final. She continued her effective, defensive armour in the 2–0 win over Perth Glory in the Grand Final. Williams was named the league's Goalkeeper of the Year following the season. Reign FC and Melbourne City: 2017–20 Returning to Houston for the 2017 season, Williams made 8 starts in goal before being traded to Seattle Reign FC on August 31 in exchange for a 2018 2nd-round draft pick. She made three starts in goal for the Reign during the remainder of the season. The Reign finished in fifth place during the regular season. In October 2017, Williams commenced pre-season training with Melbourne City, re-signing with them for the 2017–18 W-League season. She made 12 starts in goal helping lead Melbourne City to a fourth-place season during the regular season and berth to the Finals. After defeating the regular season premiers, Brisbane Roar, in a 2–0 shutout in the semi-final, Melbourne City faced Sydney FC in the Grand Final and won 2–0, clinching the team's third consecutive title. Williams was the starting goalkeeper for Reign FC in all 17 games that she played during the 2018 NWSL season. The Reign finished in third place during the regular season with a 11–5–8 record. The third-place finished earned the team a berth to the Playoffs, though they were defeated 2–1 by local rivals Portland Thorns FC in the semi-finals. Williams returned to Melbourne City for the 2019–20 W-League season. She was the starting goalkeeper in 14 matches, recording nine shutouts and an .871 (87.1%) save percentage. Melbourne City finished in first place during the regular season, claiming the premiership with an undefeated 12–0–1 record. During the playoffs, Williams helped elevate City to a 5–1 win in the team's semi-final match against Western Sydney Wanderers. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Grand Final was not open to fans, though broadcast internationally. Williams helped hold Sydney FC to a 1–0 shutout to clinch the championship. Arsenal: 2020–2022 Williams signed a one-year contract with Arsenal in England's WSL in July 2020. She noted the "recent investment surge in European women's soccer" as a contributing factor to her signing. In late August, it was announced that she would be temporarily be sidelined by ankle surgery due to a pre-season injury. On 18 November 2020 Williams made her debut as she started in the FA Women's League Cup against North London derby rivals Tottenham Hotspur. The game finished 2–2 with Arsenal winning 5–4 on penalties. She made her league debut on 6 December 2020 against Birmingham City. Paris Saint-Germain: 2022–2023 On 21 July 2022, Division 1 Féminine club Paris Saint-Germain announced the signing of Williams on a one-year deal until June 2023. In January 2023, she left the club after playing two official matches for the team. Brighton & Hove Albion: 2023 On 19 January 2023, Williams joined Brighton & Hove Albion on a permanent transfer until June 2024. Melbourne Victory: 2023–present In September 2023, Wil.... Discover the Lydia Grace popular books. Find the top 100 most popular Lydia Grace books.