Clare Polkinghorne
Australian soccer player (born 1989)
Born
Feb 01, 1989 (37)
Birth Place
Brisbane
Nationality
Australia
Position
defender
Current Team
Houston Dash
Height
176 cm
About
Clare Elizabeth Polkinghorne is an Australian professional soccer player who plays as a defender. On 2 October 2024 she announced her retirement from international football, and played her last game for the Matildas in a friendly against Chinese Taipei on 7 December 2024. She became Australia's most capped footballer in February 2023, and as of her final game, she extended this record with 169 appearances since her debut in 2006. She retired at Damallsvenskan club Kristianstads DFF. Polkinghorne was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in the 2025 Australia Day Honours for "service to football".
Career
2004 – 2004
Queensland Lions FC
2006 – 2007
Australia women's national under-20 association football team
2006 – Present
Australia women's national association football team
2008 – 2014
Brisbane Roar FC
2014 – 2014
INAC Kobe Leonessa
2015 – 2015
Portland Thorns FC
2018 – Present
Houston Dash