Clare Polkinghorne

Clare Elizabeth Polkinghorne (born 1 February 1989) is an Australian professional soccer player who plays as a defender for Swedish Damallsvenskan club Kristianstads DFF and the Australia national team. She became Australia's most capped player in February 2023.

INAC Kobe Leonessa
For the 2014 season, Polkinghorne was loaned to INAC Kobe Leonessa in Japan.

Portland Thorns
Polkinghorne signed for Portland Thorns in the National Women's Soccer League after the 2015 World Cup. Portland Thorns waived Polkinghorne in February 2016.

Brisbane Roar
On 7 January 2017, Polkinghorne become the first player to play 100 club games in the W-League, all of which have been played for Brisbane Roar. In December 2020, Polkinghorne re-signed with Brisbane Roar after spending the off-season at Avaldsnes.

Houston Dash (2018–2019)
On 7 June 2018, Polkinghorne signed with the Houston Dash.

Vittsjö GIK (2021–2023)
Polkinghorne signed for Swedish Damallsvenskan club Vittsjö GIK on 19 March 2021.

Kristianstads DFF (2024–)
On 25 December 2023, Polkinghorne joined Kristianstads DFF for the 2024 Damallsvenskan season.

International career
Polkinghorne first represented the Australia national team in 2006 and has played more than 160 matches, scoring 16 goals. She played in both the 2007 World Cup and 2011 World Cup and was an unused squad member during the 2015 World Cup.

Polkinghorne was selected for the Australian Matildas football team which qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The Matildas advanced to the quarter-finals with one victory and a draw in the group play. In the quarter-finals they beat Great Britain 4-3 after extra time. However, they lost 1–0 to Sweden in the semi-final and were then beaten 4–3 in the bronze medal playoff by USA.

On 4 June 2024, Polkinghorne was named in the Matildas team which qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympics, her third Olympic games selection.

Honours
Queensland Sting
 * Women's National Soccer League: 2005

Brisbane Roar
 * W-League Premiership: 2008–09, 2012–13
 * W-League Championship: 2008–09, 2010–11

Australia
 * AFF Women's Championship: 2008
 * AFC Women's Asian Cup: 2010
 * AFC Olympic Qualifying Tournament: 2016
 * Tournament of Nations: 2017
 * FFA Cup of Nations: 2019

Individual
 * 2012–13 Julie Dolan Medal: Best player in the 2012–13 W-League
 * 2017–18 Julie Dolan Medal: Best player in the 2017–18 W-League (jointly with Sam Kerr)