Nathan Cleary Girlfriend: Mary Fowler Relationship Update

Nathan Cleary and Mary Fowler are an unlikely couple across two very different Australian sporting codes, but their romance has captured national attention. The Penrith Panthers halfback and Manchester City’s record-breaking Matildas striker began their relationship in August 2023, keeping it private before going public in April 2024.

Girlfriend: Mary Fowler · Mary Fowler Deal: $10 million · Relationship Status: Together · Nathan Cleary Sport: NRL · Mary Fowler Sport: Soccer

The table below summarizes key facts about Nathan Cleary and Mary Fowler’s relationship.

Who is Nathan Cleary’s Girlfriend?

Mary Fowler is the Matildas and Manchester City striker who caught Nathan Cleary’s eye. At 21 years old, she has already become one of the highest-paid women’s soccer players in the world after signing a record $10 million deal with the English club. The West Australian prodigy made her international debut as a teenager and has been a regular starter for Australia since 2022.

Mary Fowler Profile

Mary Fowler was born in 2003 in Australia and developed her football skills in the Australian women’s league before moving to Europe. She joined Manchester City in 2023 and quickly established herself as a key player. Her explosive pace and creative playmaking ability have drawn comparisons to some of the best midfielders in the Women’s Super League.

Off the pitch, Fowler has been open about her mental health journey, discussing her experiences with anxiety on various platforms. She credits her family for keeping her grounded despite her rising fame.

Career Highlights

Fowler’s career trajectory has been remarkable. She scored her first international goal at age 16 and became the youngest Australian to score at a FIFA Women’s World Cup during the 2023 tournament held in Australia and New Zealand.

How Did Nathan and Mary Meet?

The couple first crossed paths at an Adidas event in 2023, according to Fowler herself. Speaking on the Keegan and Company podcast, Fowler revealed that their initial conversations focused on deep topics rather than typical celebrity small talk.

“We actually didn’t flirt at all when we were texting… we just had really deep, genuine conversations,” Fowler said (Now To Love).

First Encounter

Before their relationship became public knowledge, rumors began circulating in August 2023 when paparazzi spotted the pair on an ice cream date near the Nepean River. At the time, Cleary’s team dismissed the sighting to The Daily Telegraph, calling it “just ice cream” (Who Magazine). However, new photographs emerged on August 31, 2023, showing them walking together along the riverbank (Now To Love).

“I’m just here by myself. No plus-one,” Cleary said at the GQ Awards in December 2023 (Now To Love).

Relationship Timeline

In October 2023, Cleary flew to Perth to support Fowler during Matildas Olympic Qualifiers. He watched Australia defeat the Philippines on October 29, 2023, and the couple was spotted cuddling in a park on November 1, 2023, before Fowler’s match against Chinese Taipei (Who Magazine).

Despite these public sightings, Cleary remained tight-lipped. At the GQ Awards on December 7, 2023, he attended solo. The official confirmation came in April 2024 when Fowler shared their first couple photo on Instagram.

Fans quickly dubbed them “Australia’s royal couple” after the post went viral (Now To Love).

What Ethnicity is Nathan Cleary?

Nathan Cleary has been vocal about his heritage in recent years. The Cleary family has Ukrainian roots, with Nathan publicly supporting Ukraine’s World Cup bid for 2034. His father, Ivan Cleary, is also of Ukrainian descent, and the family has maintained connections to their heritage despite living in Australia for generations.

Family Background

Cleary was born in 1997 in Sydney and raised in the Penrith area. His mother, Samantha Cleary, is of Anglo-Saxon descent, while his father Ivan has Ukrainian ancestry. Nathan is the latest in a family of rugby league players, following in the footsteps of his father who also played professionally.

Mother’s Nationality

While Nathan Cleary’s mother’s specific nationality is not extensively documented in public sources, she has been supportive of her son’s career and occasionally appears in behind-the-scenes content. The family has focused on maintaining a private life despite Nathan’s high profile.

What Ethnicity is Mary Fowler?

Mary Fowler was born and raised in Perth, Western Australia. Her father, Barry Fowler, is of Irish descent while her mother is of mixed European heritage. The family has deep roots in Western Australia, with Fowler growing up playing football alongside her siblings before pursuing the sport professionally.

Family Origins

Fowler’s multicultural background reflects Australia’s diverse sporting community. She was raised in a supportive household that encouraged her football ambitions from an early age. Her younger sister, a fellow footballer, has also pursued the sport professionally.

Father’s Background

Barry Fowler has been a constant presence in his daughter’s career, often traveling to support her at international matches. He was spotted in the crowd during key moments of Fowler’s early Matildas career, including during the 2023 World Cup campaign.

Are Nathan Cleary and Mary Fowler Still Together?

As of the most recent reports, Nathan Cleary and Mary Fowler remain together. In October 2024, Cleary revealed that Fowler supported his grand final win from England, wearing a Panthers jersey to cheer him on remotely (Now To Love). The long-distance aspect of their relationship continues, with Fowler based at Manchester City while Cleary remains in Sydney with Penrith Panthers.

Marriage Rumors

In September 2024, Penrith Panthers teammate Brian To’o sparked engagement speculation during a game commentary, saying “They are pretty much here for Nathan and Mary so congrats to them, I think they got engaged” (Now To Love). However, there has been no official confirmation from either party. Cleary remained tight-lipped about the rumors, and Fowler has not addressed the speculation publicly.

Despite unconfirmed engagement reports, both have spoken about their relationship casually. Cleary has discussed long-distance challenges on podcasts, noting the difficulty of maintaining a relationship across continents (Now To Love). He has also mentioned his desire to become a father someday in previous interviews.

Latest Updates

In December 2024, Cleary discussed their relationship dynamics further, acknowledging the unique challenges of their situation. The couple continues to support each other’s careers from afar, with Fowler’s $10 million contract with Manchester City representing a major career milestone for her.

Some speculation about a potential breakup surfaced in late 2025, based on reduced social media activity between them, though neither party has confirmed any split (YouTube Video). The implication is that unverified reports should be treated with caution until either party addresses the rumors directly.

Relationship Summary

Nathan Cleary and Mary Fowler represent a unique cross-code romance in Australian sport. The Penrith Panthers captain and Manchester City’s record-breaking Matildas striker have managed to keep their relationship relatively private despite significant public interest.

Their story began with an ice cream date in August 2023, evolved through public sightings in Perth, and eventually became official with an Instagram confirmation in April 2024. Despite the long-distance challenge—with Fowler in England and Cleary in Australia—both have continued to support each other’s sporting careers.

As both athletes enter what appear to be the prime years of their careers, questions about their future plans—whether that includes marriage, children, or a eventual reunion in one country—remain unanswered publicly. What is clear is that their relationship has captured the imagination of Australian sports fans who see them as a symbol of modern elite athlete partnerships.

For Australian sporting enthusiasts, the choice is straightforward: follow their careers with interest, respect their privacy, and appreciate the rare cross-code connection they represent in a country that typically keeps rugby league and football distinctly separate.

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Mary Fowler and Nathan Cleary began their romance in mid-2023, becoming one of Australian sport’s power couples as outlined in this full timeline and facts.

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