Khamis will move to the capital next week to start training with Canberra for what will be her eighth season in the W-League after deciding to leave Sydney FC in the hope of securing more game time.

Khamis has been playing in the W-League since she was 16 and will compete with Melissa Maizels for the No. 1 shot-stopper title in Canberra, but her biggest rivalry will be with her sister, Leena.

The Khamis siblings and other sister Linda, an assistant coach, formed a family trio at Sydney FC. Leena has since joined the Western Sydney Wanderers and Sham has taken a chance in Canberra.

They have never played against each other, setting the stage for the sisters to go to battle when Canberra plays the Wanderers at Spotless Stadium on December 7.

"My goal was to get game time. Last year was pretty difficult at Sydney, but I sat down and thought about what I really wanted to achieve. That's to get game time," Sham Khamis said.

"Canberra's a well-respected club so I can't wait to get down there and compete for a starting spot.

"I'm very grateful to have had an opportunity to play for Sydney FC, but you do want to develop as a goalkeeper.

"It was hard to leave, but more because I've played alongside Leena for a very, very long time. Since we were young.

"I've never really played against her, even in the NPL season [in Sydney]. It will be strange, but exciting, to come up against your sister at that level. That's something myself, Leena and my whole family is looking forward to."

Khamis is part of a Canberra playing roster overhaul, with coach Heather Garriock adding new blood as the club chases its third championship.

The 23-year-old joins a host of young guns, including Karly Roestbakken, Maizels, Nikki Flannery, Taren King, Aoife Colvill and South African duo Refiloe Jane and Rhoda Mulaudzi. Matildas rising star Ellie Carpenter is also expected to re-sign with the club as a marquee player.

"For a 23-year-old Sham already has a great deal of W-League experience, and I can’t wait for her to be part of our team this year," Garriock said.

"Not only does she bring excellent pedigree as a goalkeeper, her experience will be important and for us to have two genuine number one options at goalkeeper is immense."

Garriock described her decision to recruit Khamis as a "no-brainer". The pair have previously worked together at the NSW Institute of Sport, and Khamis has been playing in the W-League since she was 17 years old.

She spent three seasons at Sydney FC before a brief stint at the Wanderers and then returning to Sydney FC.

"For as long as I've been playing football, I've always juggled high school, university or work with sport," Khamis said.

"But right now I'm stepping out of my comfort zone. I'm living away from home, I'm deferring uni. So it will be good to finally focus on one thing, and that's football."

CANBERRA UNITED DRAW (home games in bold)

October 28: Canberra United v Melbourne City at McKellar, 4pm

November 4: Canberra United v Perth Glory at McKellar, 4pm

November 17: Canberra United v Newcastle Jets at Newcastle, 7.30pm

November 22: Adelaide United v Canberra United at Coopers Stadium, 7.30pm

December 2: Canberra United v Sydney FC at McKellar, 4pm

December 7: Canberra United v Western Sydney Wanderers at Spotless Stadium, 5.20pm

December 22: Canberra United v Melbourne City at AAMI Park, 5pm

December 27: Canberra United v Brisbane Roar at McKellar, 7.30pm

January 3: Canberra United v Perth Glory at Dorrien Gardens, 8.30pm

January 13: Canberra United v Adelaide United at McKellar Park, 4pm

January 17: Canberra united v Melbourne Victory at Seiffert Oval, 7.30pm

January 25: Canberra United v Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium, 5.20pm

February 9-10: Semi-finals

February 16-17: Grand final