The Washington Spirit have signed a Women’s World Cup star who hopes to spice up their revamped roster starting this summer.
Colombian midfielder Leicy Santos signed a three-year contract with NWSL club DC on Tuesday. He will join Spirit from Spanish club Atletico Madrid in June after the end of the Liga F season. In a statement, Santos said he had called up the Spirit considers himself a “pioneer of women’s soccer” and said he hopes to add more to the club’s legacy.
“I am very excited to begin a new adventure in a new league with the Washington Spirit,” Santos said in a statement.
Santos, a native of San Sebastian in the city of Lorica, Colombia, has attracted foreign attention for her exploits in Las Cafeteras’ run to the quarterfinals of the 2023 Women’s World Cup. She scored a very good cross in Colombia’s attack against the runners. facing England, considered one of the most productive targets of the tournament.
The 27-year-old is known as an elite passer and forward, floating between midfield and the wings. In his sixth season with Atletico Madrid, he has 17 goals and 16 assists this year. Last season, he led his team past rival Real. Madrid come from behind in the final of the Copa Reina de los Ángeles.
“Bringing Leicy to the Spirit is a step toward moving this team forward,” Washington coach Jonatan Giráldez said in a statement. “She’s relentless on the 3rd attack and can create chances at will with her passing. We are delighted to have you.
The first hint of Santos’ signing made the impression at the First Look preseason event in Washington on March 11. General manager Mark Krikorian told WTOP that the club plans to announce a signing “very soon,” and when pressed further, he said the player is “not from the United States. “
After the signing, Kirkorian Santos is a “phenomenal addiction” for Washington.
“His technical duties in the box are world-class and have given him decisive merit at all levels,” he said in a statement. “Adding her to our already impressive roster will make the Spirit an even more intimidating opponent in the NWSL. “
The addition of Santos is the latest move after a busy offseason for Washington, which signed two free agents (forward Brittany Ratcliffe and U. S. Women’s National Team defenseman Ratcliffe). U. S. Casey Krueger) and six in the NWSL Draft.
The Spirit opened their 2024 season with two wins in their first 3 games while assistant coach Adrian Gonzalez leads the team on an interim basis. Giraldez, who was signed in January through Spanish club FC Barcelona Femení, plans to sign for Washington in June.
Online sports outlet The Athletic was the first to report on Washington’s plan to sign Santos.
José Umaña is WTOP’s virtual editor. She has worked as a journalist for about a decade, covering local news, education, and sports. His paintings have been published in The Prince George’s Sentinel, The Sentinel, Orlando Sentinel, PressBox, and The Diamondback.