Flannery and Sydney Univeristy teammate Bianca Galic were announced as United's latest signings on Friday morning, becoming the sixth and seventh additions to Vicki Linton's squad.

The 21-year-old winger returns to her debut club after a one-season stint with Newcastle Jets, saying "there's no better feeling than representing your hometown."

In four seasons with Canberra, Flannery made 36 appearances, scored five goals and was elevated to the Young Matildas' squad.

That's where she first crossed paths with Linton, who's been impressed by the forward since her W-League debut in 2015.

"She's a player I remember seeing when she first came onto the W-League scene. I was coaching the youth national team at the time," Linton said.

"She had an impact then, but she's obviously grown, developed and matured since. I think it's a good opportunity for her to come back, I'm looking forward to seeing how she comes into the team.

"She'll bring that exciting, attacking play. She's a player out on the wing, likes to be able to get behind defenders and create chances or score goals. She has that ability and we're looking for her to be able to do that for the team."

United are striving to end the longest finals drought in club history, having finished outside the top four in the past three seasons.

Flannery and returning midfielder Grace Maher both bring finals experience to the squad, an asset that could prove crucial in United's quest to contest the play-offs.

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"Because of the success the club has had over the years, a lot of these Canberra players do have that [finals] experience," Linton said.

"That's why it's great for me coming in, to build around that and when they're local players too - that's a great asset."

Galic joins United for her first W-League season, having impressed Linton with her recent performances for Sydney University in the NSW Premier League.

The 21-year-old midfielder plays alongside many W-League players, including Flannery and Maher - an asset Linton says will aid her transition to the next level.

"She's a starting player and an integral part of that team," Linton said.

"She's had a great season, on the back of consistent years before that. It's great to be able to give players like that an opportunity to make the next step.

"It's a matter of seeing how she adjusts in. She's familiar with a number of players, which I think will help her adapt for the next step."

Linton is unsure when her squad will be given the green light to start their W-League preparations in Canberra, with Football Federation Australia yet to announce a starting date and season structure.

CANBERRA UNITED 2021 SQUAD: Grace Maher, Laura Hughes, Lauren Keir, Hayley Taylor-Young, Rachael Goldstein, Nicki Flannery, Bianca Galic.