Emma Ilijoski has re-joined AFC Women on a season long loan from Hearts.

Following a successful loan period with the Dons last season, the Australian wing-back returns having been an ever present in Scott Booths’s side during a busy but ultimately successful second half of the campaign.

Emma, who featured over 50 times for her hometown club Canberra United in the Australian A-League made the move to Scotland to sign for Hearts in 2024, playing for them on four occasions before making the switch to the North-east.

Booth is delighted to see the influential player returning to Cormack Park for the year.

He said: “I am really pleased to have Emma re-join us for the season.

“She is a tremendous athlete who has already shown that she has a lot to contribute to the team.

“Not only is she a great football player but she is also a brilliant person who I have enjoyed working with greatly as we look to achieve success at this football Club.”

The defender is currently back home, spending her off-season in The Bush Capital but will return to Aberdeen at the start of the July for the beginning of pre-season and is delighted to be back in the North-east for another season.

“I am really happy to be returning to the Club for the full season”, said Emma.

“The second half of last season was beneficial for me, to be playing consistently and enjoying my football was great. I’ll be working even harder to continue growing as a player and be the best version of myself for the team. I am very grateful to Scott and the staff for the opportunity to be back and continue learning under them.

“I absolutely love being part of this Club, it’s a privilege to play here. I was welcomed with open arms and after seeing what it means to the city, it was a no brainer to come back.

“It has been great to be back home in Canberra with my family and friends, but I’m looking forward to getting back to Aberdeen for pre-season to reunite with the girls and the staff.”