Catarina Macario’s transfer to the NWSL is formally full.
Macario has joined the San Diego Wave in a everlasting deal from WSL membership Chelsea, either side introduced Friday. Her contract will run via the 2030 season and below the NWSL’s new Excessive Affect Participant Rule, it is likely one of the largest in girls’s soccer historical past.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Cat residence to San Diego,” mentioned Sporting Director and Normal Supervisor Camille Ashton. “Cat is a world-class participant who has persistently carried out on the highest ranges of the sport. She is an clever, technical and artistic attacker with distinctive imaginative and prescient and composure within the last third.
“Her skill to unlock defenses and affect matches in a number of methods will additional strengthen an already sturdy basis as we proceed constructing towards Championship success,” Ashton added. This signing displays the ambition of our Membership and having a participant of her caliber return to her hometown and characterize San Diego makes this signing much more significant for our group.”
A former Stanford College standout, Macario made the transfer to French aspect Lyon after her collegiate profession. She scored 19 targets and added 5 assists in 37 appearances with Lyon, successful two trophies.
She later joined WSL giants Chelsea in 2023, however didn’t debut for the London membership till March 2024 after recovering from a torn ACL. Macario made 49 appearances for Chelsea, scoring 12 targets, and successful 5 trophies, together with two league titles.
The 26-year-old had been sidelined since December because of a foot difficulty.
After debuting for the USWNT in 2021, Macario has scored 16 targets in 29 caps. She was a part of the Bronze Medal successful roster in 2021 and helped the Individuals win the SheBelieves Cup on three events.
“I’m actually excited to hitch San Diego Wave FC and start this subsequent chapter of my profession at residence in San Diego,” mentioned Macario. “This metropolis has performed such an necessary position in my journey, and the chance to come back again and characterize it means lots to me.
“From my first conversations with the Membership, I felt the ambition and the imaginative and prescient for what we are able to accomplish collectively, together with bringing trophies to this metropolis,” Macario added. “I’m grateful for the idea they’ve proven in me, and I can’t wait to get began and provides all the pieces for this staff and my neighborhood.”
San Diego are 2-0-1 in NWSL play this season and subsequent face the Chicago Stars on Saturday.