Emma Ilijoski

Emma Ilijoski
Ilijoski in July 2024
Personal information
Full name Emma Jessica Ilijoski
Date of birth (2003-01-08) 8 January 2003
Place of birth Gungahlin, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Position Defender
Team information
Current team
 Odense
Youth career
Gungahlin United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2020–2022 Canberra United 22 (0)
2022 Sydney University 21 (0)
2022–2024 Canberra United 33 (0)
2024–2026 Heart of Midlothian 4 (0)
2025–2026 → Aberdeen (loan) 36 (0)
2026– Odense 0 (0)
International career‡
2019 Australia U16 4 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 25 May 2025
‡ National team caps and goals as of 25 May 2025

Emma Jessica Ilijoski (Macedonian: Ема Џесика Илијоски, pronounced [iˈlijɔski] ee-LEE-yoh-skee; born 8 January 2003) is an Australian soccer player who plays as a defender for A-Liga club Odense BK Q. She previously played for A-League Women club Canberra United, National Premier Leagues NSW Women's (NPL NSW Women's) club Sydney University, and Scottish Women's Premier League (SWPL) clubs Heart of Midlothian and Aberdeen.

Club career

Ilijoski started her football career with Gungahlin United.[1] She trained at the Canberra United FC academy and joined the full squad for two season prior to 2022. She was re-signed for another two-year contract with the team in June 2022, and also co-captained the Junior Matildas national team.[2]

In July 2024, Ilijoski signed a two-year deal with the Scottish football team Heart of Midlothian.[3] While playing for Hearts, Ilijoski made four first-team appearances. She joined Aberdeen on loan in January 2025.[4]

In July 2026, Ilijoski signed for A-Liga club Odense BK Q.[5]

Football activism

In July 2023, Ilijoski started a campaign to reform women's football uniforms in Australia, with some having to wear poorly-fitting men's uniforms. She called for specifically-designed clothes to be created in cooperation with women.[6]

In 2024, Ilijoski was a leading figure in the Professional Footballers Australia trade union's Our Greener Pitch project against climate change. She played in the A-League's first "Green Game", which focused on reducing team travel, reducing waste, and educating people.[7] The initiative was nominated for Elite Organisation of the Year at the 2024 BBC Sport Green Awards.[8]

Personal life

Ilijoski was born in Gungahlin in the Australian Capital Territory.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 Dinjaksi, Melanie (27 June 2022). "Young Matilda eyes continued rise at Canberra United". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
  2. ↑ Dinjaski, Melanie (26 June 2022). "Canberra United announces 'top-class' signing". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
  3. ↑ "Hearts sign Australian youth international Ilijoski". BBC Sport. 29 July 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
  4. ↑ "Hearts full-back Ilijoski joins Aberdeen on loan". BBC Sport. 9 January 2025. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
  5. ↑ "Australsk forstærkning til OBQ" [Australian reinforcement for OBQ] (in Danish). Odense BK. 2 July 2026.
  6. ↑ Guelas, Joanna (17 July 2023). "Young Matilda uniform equality calls ahead of World Cup". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
  7. ↑ Dinjaski, Melanie (23 March 2024). "Canberra star spearheads first ever A-League 'Green Game'". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
  8. ↑ "Green Sport Awards 2024 nominees announced". BBC Sport. 30 September 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
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