Claudia Louise Cholakian (Armenian: Կլաուդիա Լուիս Չոլակյան;[1] born 29 July 1996) is a footballer who plays as a midfielder for NPL NSW Women's club Gladesville Ravens. Born in Australia, she is a member of the Armenia women's national team.[2]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Claudia Louise Cholakian | ||
| Date of birth | 29 July 1996 | ||
| Place of birth | Australia | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Gladesville Ravens | ||
| Number | 17 | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2016–2020 | Manly United | ||
| 2020-2021 | Sydney FC | 2 | (0) |
| 2021–2022 | Sydney Olympic | 15 | (7) |
| 2023 | Northern Tigers | 23 | (10) |
| 2024- | Gladesville Ravens | 16 | (3) |
| International career | |||
| 2022– | Armenia | 11 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21 August 2024 | |||
Club career
editYouth career
editCholakian played her youth football for NWS Spirit and Northern Tigers, before joining Manly United as a 17-year-old.[3]
Manly United
editCholakian started her career with Australian second-tier side Manly United, making her first grade debut in 2016 as a 19-year-old.[4] In 2017, she spent the year abroad studying at King's College London in England as part of an exchange program with her university,[5] missing the 2017 season as a result. Cholakian returned to play for Manly United for the 2018 season.[6][7] Cholakian won the Coaches' Award for Manly's first grade side in 2018.[8]
Between 2018 and 2020, Cholakian was the only player to feature for Manly in every single game, totalling 58 consecutive appearances for the club.[9][10] Cholakian played in Manly's 2020 Championship winning team, playing the full 90 minutes in the Grand Final victory over Sydney University.[11]
In late 2020, Cholakian was chosen to represent Football NSW in an exhibition 'State of Origin' match against Football Queensland, winning selection due to her strong form in the NPL NSW competition.[12]
Sydney FC
editIn 2020, Cholakian received her big break in signing for Australian top flight club Sydney FC, competing in the W-League. Cholakian was signed as an injury replacement for Elizabeth Ralston in the lead up to the finals.[13] Cholakian made two appearances for Sydney FC,[14] and was part of their 2020-21 W-League championship.[15]
Sydney Olympic
editIn 2021, Cholakian signed for Sydney Olympic in the Australian second tier.[16] Cholakian spent two seasons at Sydney Olympic, also making her international debut with Armenia during her time at Olympic.[17][18]
Northern Tigers
editFor the 2023 season, Cholakian re-joined Northern Tigers,[19] a club in which she had previously played junior football at.[20] Cholakian topped the Tigers' goal scoring charts for the season, finishing the season with 10 in the league, and 12 in all competitions.[21] Cholakian was part of the Tigers' run to the inaugural Sapphire Cup final, scoring a goal and providing an assist in the semi final.[22] Cholakian played in the final, unfortunately falling to a 2–1 defeat to APIA Leichhardt.[23]
Gladesville Ravens
editFor the 2024 season, Cholakian moved to Gladesville Ravens.[24][25] Cholakian made her first league start for the club against her previous club, Northern Tigers, at Christie Park on 21 April 2024.[26]
International career
editCholakian represents Armenia at the international level, making her debut in 2022 in a FIFA Women's World Cup qualifier.[27] Cholakian has so far made 11 appearances for the senior national team.[28]
Personal life
editCholakian completed a master's degree in sustainability at the University of Sydney and is currently employed as a sustainability advisor for property developer Frasers Property.[29] Cholakian is the younger sister of Brendan Cholakian, who currently plays for Rockdale Ilinden in the men's National Premier Leagues NSW competition. Brendan also was playing for Manly United when Claudia made her senior debut, and moved to Sydney Olympic in the same year Claudia did.[30]
References
edit- ^ "Կլաուդիա Լուիս Չոլակյան". Football Federation of Armenia (in Armenian).
- ^ "Claudia Cholakian relishes Armenian Experience". womens.nplnsw.com.au. 20 April 2022.
- ^ "Cholakian keen to scale new heights". manlyunitedfc.com.au. 29 March 2018.
- ^ "NSW Women's 1 NPL - Manly v Illawarra". Getty Images. 12 June 2016.
- ^ "Cholakian keen to scale new heights". manlyunitedfc.com.au. 29 March 2018.
- ^ "Manly's Women Shaping Up For Title Defence". manlyunitedfc.com.au. 3 March 2018.
- ^ "National Premier Leagues NSW Women's 2018 Preview". National Premier Leagues NSW. March 2018.
- ^ "Claudia Cholakian - First Grade Coaches' Award". Manly United FC. 13 September 2018 – via Facebook.
- ^ "Claudia Cholakian excited to be back". womens.nplnsw.com.au. 27 May 2020.
- ^ "Cholakian raring for grand final redemption". manlyunitedfc.com.au. 7 October 2020.
- ^ "NSW NPL Women's 2020 Grand Final Report – Sydney University vs Manly United". beyond90.com.au. 15 October 2020.
- ^ "Football NSW Announces Women's Squad for Queensland Clash". myfootball.com.au. 10 December 2020.
- ^ "Sydney FC Complete Three Westfield W-League Signings". sydneyfc.com. 19 March 2021.
- ^ "Claudia Cholakian". aleaguestats.com.
- ^ "Congratulations to Claudia Cholakian, 2021 W-League Premiership Winner with Sydney FC!". FNX Sports. 1 April 2021 – via Instagram.
- ^ "Claudia Cholakian, Sydney Olympic, 2021". twitter.com.
- ^ "Claudia Cholakian relished Armenian experience". National Premier Leagues NSW. 20 April 2022.
- ^ "2022 NSW NPL Women's Wrap – Round 3". beyond90.com.au. 27 April 2022.
- ^ "Northern Tigers Focus to Go One Better This Season". National Premier Leagues NSW. 2 March 2023.
- ^ "Claudia Cholakian BUzzzing at the Tigers". National Premier Leagues NSW. 17 May 2023.
- ^ "2023 Highest Goalscorer". Football NSW.
- ^ "Tigers Dismantle Ravens to Progress to Sapphire Cup Final". Football NSW. 4 August 2023.
- ^ "APIA Leichhardt Crowned Inaugural Sapphire Cup Champions". Football NSW. 10 September 2023.
- ^ "Gladesville Ravens welcomes our new players for the 2024 season". Gladesville Ravens. 20 February 2024 – via Instagram.
- ^ "NPL NSW Women signings tracker: Signings, coups and call-ups for every team". The Daily Telegraph. 14 March 2024.
- ^ "Northern Tigers Defeat Ravens in Thriller". National Premier Leagues NSW. 21 April 2024.
- ^ "Claudia Cholakian relished Armenian experience". National Premier Leagues NSW. 20 April 2022.
- ^ "Claudia Cholakian - Soccer player profile and career statistics". globalsportsachive.com.
- ^ Cholakian, Claudia (25 January 2023). "Claudia Cholakian- LinkedIn".
- ^ "Sydney Olympic Football Club is excited to announce the signing of former Manly United FC attacking midfielder Brendan Cholakian for the 2021 season". Sydney Olympic FC. 27 October 2020 – via Facebook.
External links
edit- Claudia Cholakian at GameDay
- Claudia Cholakian at Soccerway