FC Gold Pride and Gulbrandsen Agree to Mutually Terminate Contract
July 7, 2010 - Women's Professional Soccer (WPS)
FC Gold Pride News Release
Hayward, CA (July 7, 2010) - FC Gold Pride announced today the team has reached a mutual agreement with midfielder Solveig Gulbrandsento release the Norwegian international following the team's home game on July 17.
"Sola brought a lot of maturity and experience to our team; it is not easy to see her go," said FC Gold Pride Head Coach Albertin Montoya. "We thank her for the contributions she has made to the team on and off the field and wish her and her family the best as they return to Norway."
Gulbrandsen has appeared in six games for the Pride, tallying one assist in 272 minutes on the pitch. In addition to her responsibilities as a professional with the Pride, Solveig has been balancing time with her family including four year old son Theodor, and multiple call ups with the Norwegian national team.
"This was not an easy decision for me but it is what's best for me and my family at this time," said Gulbrandsen. "We have enjoyed every minute of our time here in the Bay Area; none of us could do without this experience. It has been a privilege to play with such talented women; I am certainly a better player because of it."
Gulbrandsen has agreed to remain with the Pride for the next two games. She plans to return to Norway following the July 17 match against Philadelphia, where she will begin a new professional contract with Norwegian club Stabaek IF, a team she has previously stared on. With the 'bigger picture' in mind, Sola will also begin a career off the field in Norway, working at an automotive sales agency, an opportunity she sites as a big factor in her decision to move home.
"It's time for me to begin thinking about my life after soccer," said Gulbrandsen. "The decision to go back to Norway and to begin a career beyond the field while still having the privilege to play feels like the right thing to do."
Gulbrandsen, a two-time Olympian and three-time World Cup participant with the Norwegian National Team plans to remain active with her country's squad through World Cup qualification and possibly beyond.
"I'm taking things one year at a time and I will reevaluate my playing career when the time comes."
"I'm not sure where exactly my career will go in the future, I'm just beginning to plan that now," said Gulbrandsen. "Soccer will always be a part of my life, but I'm looking into a number of different options. I am very grateful for the opportunity I have been given to play here in WPS with FC Gold Pride. I will miss the team and our home here in the Bay Area very much."
Gulbrandsen's departure will leave a void in the Pride's active roster of 18 which Montoya says he will address in the near future.
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