Adelaide has signed star Gaelic footballer Kayleigh Cronin as a rookie for the 2025 AFLW season.

Cronin, 28, joins the Crows after a fairytale year for County Kerry in the Ladies Gaelic Football Association (LGFA).

Cronin led Kerry to its first All Ireland Senior Final win in 31 years, receiving Player of the Match honours for her dominant performance at full-back.

The 181cm left footer was selected in the All-Star team for the second time in her career and was one of three finalists in the LGFA Senior Player of the Year 2024.

Crows Head of Women’s Football Phil Harper said Cronin would join the team for pre-season next year.

“Kayleigh is a powerful athlete with excellent speed for her size and a fierce competitive streak,” Harper said.

“She defends really strongly, likes to take the game on, is driven to succeed and a perfect fit for our environment.”

An all-round athlete, Cronin previously represented Ireland in discus and also played soccer.

Cronin is the fourth Irish player in Adelaide’s AFLW squad, joining All-Australian wing Niamh Kelly, new recruit Grace Kelly and promising rookie Amy Boyle Carr.

“We believe Kayleigh has the skillset to help make us better as a team and she is also a great character,” Harper said.

“Kayleigh can’t wait to get started and we look forward to welcoming her to Adelaide next year.”