Returning forward Ashleigh Sykes is set to link back up with prolific goal scorer Michelle Heyman this summer, reforming one of the deadliest strike forces in A-League Women's history.

United unveiled their new signing this week, after Sykes convinced head coach Vicki Linton her soccer career was worth reigniting after a successful trial at the club.

And the 29-year-old has picked off exactly where she left off with Heyman.

"From the first training session we hit the ground running in terms of that combination coming back together.," Sykes said.

"We were doing some attacking girls this week and the girls described it as cheating but I guess that's what 10 years of playing together gets you.

"That's why you play, [for] some of those moments. A combination play came off in training the other day and I was just smiling, it's an awesome feeling.

"Everyone else has the energy for all the running and the hype. Michelle's been a calming influence with some of the other more mature players in the group - I'm just hoping to add to that."

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Sykes is United's record games holder, after racking up 97 appearances during a decade-long stint at the club before shocking the soccer world with her retirement aged just 26.

Heyman, meanwhile, is the club's leading goal scorer and expected to add to that tally this season.

After spending 2021 playing for Canberra Olympic under the coaching of her twin sister Nicole, Sykes felt it was time to dust off her national league boots.

"I thought 'You know what, there's not many more years I can do this so I may as well give it another crack'," Sykes said.

"For now I'm just trying to be a good role model around training and get stuck in and try and catch up with the rest of the group. We'll see what Vicki has in store for me."

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