Sophie Cachia’s ex-fiancée Maddie Garrick confirms new romance with Italian basketball star

Maddie Garrick appears to have debuted a new lover, five months after splitting from her influencer fiancée Sophie Cachia. 

The Australian basketball star, who moved to Italy in October to play for a local team, surprised fans on Tuesday by sharing a photo of herself holding hands with fellow WNBA player Matea Atanasovska during a visit to Vatican City. 

The 30-year-old was all smiles as she led Matea, 21, through the cobblestone streets on what looked to be a romantic day out. 

Maddie chose not to discuss her relationship status in the caption, however, instead writing, ‘Roma [hand holding emoji] Io’, which is Italian for ‘Rome [hand holding emoji] me’. 

The couple’s outing likely took place last month, as Matea had shared photos of the pair wearing the same outfits in Vatican City on February 13. 

This photo showed the pair smiling for a local photographer as they strolled down the footpath. 

Commenting under the post, Maddie flirtatiously wrote: ‘Don’t broke my balls [sic]’. 

Matea, who hails from North Macedonia, relocated to Italy to play for the same local team as Maddie last year. 

Matea (pictured), who hails from North Macedonia, relocated to Italy to play for the same local team as Maddie last year

Matea has shared photos of herself exploring the sights of Italy in recent weeks 

Maddie was previously engaged to mummy blogger Sophie Cachia, 32, but the relationship broke down after the athlete moved to Italy last year. 

In the months following the break-up, Sophie sold her diamond rings and shared several cryptic Instagram posts alluding to trust being broken.

Last month, Sophie shared a solemn Instagram post to mark the one-year anniversary of the day she proposed to Maddie, telling fans the break-up still ‘stings’ even though she is no longer in love with her former flame.

 Maddie was previously engaged to mummy blogger Sophie Cachia, 32, (left) but the relationship broke down after the athlete moved to Italy last year

Last month, Sophie shared a solemn Instagram post to mark the one-year anniversary of the day she proposed to Maddie, telling fans the break-up still ‘stings’ even though she is no longer in love with her former flame 

‘Thank you to those who reached out today. I was really surprised so thank for you thinking of me,’ she said, referencing her followers who had sent kind words.

‘I had tried to distract myself with kids and loved ones, but I still felt breathless at times,’ she added.

Sophie went on to say the bittersweet anniversary had reminded her of a well-known metaphor for heartbreak: ‘Like a paper cut. It always stings.’  

Sophie later shared another post in which she said you ‘don’t need to be in love to feel pain’ – seemingly confirming she has moved on from the split 

‘Today it is like pouring acetone on it – though acetone I didn’t pour. The sun will rise tomorrow,’ she continued.

Sophie later shared another post in which she said you ‘don’t need to be in love to feel pain’ – seemingly confirming she has moved on from the split.

‘Life experience has taught me to feel feelings when they are there, not to hide from them,’ she added.

Following her split with Maddie, she has stated she is done with relationships and all she wants to focus on going forward is her children and career.

The blogger was previously married to ex-AFL player Jarryd Cachia before coming out as bisexual and ending the relationship to explore her connection with women. 

Sophie proposed to Maddie on Mardi Gras weekend in February last year, presenting her with a huge ring encrusted with three diamonds 

The blogger was previously married to ex-AFL player Jarryd Cachia (left) before coming out as bisexual and ending the relationship to explore her connection with women