Bay FC of the National Women's Soccer League has acquired attacking midfielder Deyna Castellanos via transfer from Manchester City, the expansion team announced Friday.
The team said it signed the Venezuelan international to a contract through 2026 with an option for another year. She'll join Bay FC pending receipt of her visa and International Transfer Certificate.
“It means a lot, I’m very excited to be a part of this team, and have it finally happen,” said Castellanos.
Castellanos, who won the NCAA College Cup in 2018 at Florida State, played with Atletico Madrid from 2020-22. She joined Manchester City ahead of the 2022-23 season.
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She had four goals in 28 appearances across all competitions for Manchester City in her first season with the club. This season she's appeared in eight matches with a goal.
Castellanos is captain of the Venezuelan national team with 22 goals in 38 career matches.
“Deyna is a tremendous talent, who has already gained top-level experience playing abroad in some of the top leagues in the world as well as for her national team, and we believe she will make an immediate impact playing for this club in the NWSL,” Bay FC general manager Lucy Rushton said in a statement Friday.
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While Castellanos has never been to the Bay Area, she says she's excited to make it her new home.
“That’s literally what I heard, that it’s a world class area, such an amazing area and city and it has nice weather and is close to the beach which, for me, is very important. I can’t wait to be there,” she said. "It’ll be challenging being on a new team but I think what this club is trying to achieve is something very massive and something that is going to change the football game in America."
The NWSL opens the season on March 16. Bay FC and the Utah Royals are joining the league this year, brining it to 14 teams.
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