Rose Lavelle joins Manchester City in search of new challenge
WOMEN'S
Noah Tong
3 Yrs Ago
Rose Lavelle is joining English Women’s Super League side Manchester City, just one year removed from winning the Women’s World Cup.
Having already competed at the highest level in the United States, Lavelle is eager to start a new journey overseas.
“I’m looking forward to the opportunity of playing in England and competing in the Champions League,” said Lavelle. “After talking with Gareth [Taylor] about the team and how he saw me fitting in, it seemed like a great environment that would really push and develop me as a player.”
“I’ve heard amazing things about the Club and it just felt like a really good fit overall. I want to challenge myself and feel that Manchester City is the perfect environment to do so and hopefully, I’ll find some success along the way.”
The 25-year old playmaker is joining fellow USWNT star Sam Mewis as the latest signing for the Citizens. Manchester City acquired Mewis earlier this month, and the signing of Lavelle should solidify her new team as one of the top clubs in England going forward.
OL Reign acquired Lavelle from her former team, the Washington Spirit, ahead of her departure across the pond. Washington will receive Reign’s first round draft pick in the 2022 NWSL College Draft, $100,000 in allocation money, and additional allocation money should Lavelle return to the NWSL in the future.
As a result, OL Reign will control Lavelle’s future playing rights in the NWSL which could prove valuable moving forward. The deal allowed the Spirit to receive compensation for a player that was already set on leaving.
“We are willing to make the necessary short-term sacrifices, exercise the needed patience, and do whatever work is required to realize our goal of bringing Rose to OL Reign in the future,” said Reign CEO Bill Predmore.
Lavelle joins an experienced English-based contingent featuring veteran such as Ellen White, Jill Scott and Steph Houghton. These three players have a combined 361 appearances for the Three Lions.
Lavelle rose to prominence during the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup where she dazzled players and fans alike with her shifty footwork and a knack to create goal scoring opportunities. She was awarded the Bronze Ball which goes to the third best player at the tournament. One of the rising stars for the USWNT, Lavelle has earned 12 goals and seven assists for the Stars and Stripes.
The Cincinnati native has played in the NWSL since 2017 where she featured with the Boston Breakers before joining the Washington Spirit. Lavelle established a reputation as one of the biggest threats to watch out for during the NWSL Challenge Cup that took place during the summer. Ultimately, the Spirit were knocked out in the quarterfinal round to Sky Blue FC, while Lavelle was on a minutes restriction imposed by the U.S. Soccer Federation.
Manchester City and Lavelle will join forces for the first time on the weekend of September 5th when they face newly-promoted Aston Villa.
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