| Claudia Cholakian | |
| Fullname: | Claudia Louise Cholakian |
| Birth Date: | 29 July 1996 |
| Birth Place: | Australia |
| Position: | Midfielder |
| Currentclub: | Gladesville Ravens |
| Clubnumber: | 17 |
| Years1: | 2016–2020 |
| Clubs1: | Manly United |
| Years2: | 2020-2021 |
| Clubs2: | Sydney FC |
| Caps2: | 2 |
| Goals2: | 0 |
| Years3: | 2021–2022 |
| Clubs3: | Sydney Olympic |
| Caps3: | 15 |
| Goals3: | 7 |
| Years4: | 2023 |
| Clubs4: | Northern Tigers |
| Caps4: | 23 |
| Goals4: | 10 |
| Years5: | 2024- |
| Clubs5: | Gladesville Ravens |
| Caps5: | 16 |
| Goals5: | 3 |
| Nationalyears1: | 2022– |
| Nationalteam1: | Armenia |
| Nationalcaps1: | 11 |
| Nationalgoals1: | 0 |
| Club-Update: | 21 August 2024 |
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]
Cholakian played her youth football for NWS Spirit and Northern Tigers, before joining Manly United as a 17-year-old.[3]
Cholakian 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]
In 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]
In 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]
For 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]
For 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]
Cholakian 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]
Cholakian 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]