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NWSL NJ/NY Gotham FC

Gotham FC and Nahomi "Naho" Kawasumi Mutually Agree to Player Release

July 8, 2023 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
NJ/NY Gotham FC News Release


HARRISON, NJ - Gotham FC would like to express its sincere gratitude to midfielder Nahomi "Naho" Kawasumi for her five years of service with the club, as today Gotham FC and Naho announce a mutual agreement to release the player from her contract to explore other opportunities.

"It has been a pleasure to play alongside some incredible teammates and friends, who have become like my family at Gotham FC over these past few years," said Kawasumi. "I thank Gotham FC for my time with the club and look forward to the next step in my professional playing career."

Kawasumi joined Gotham FC prior to the 2019 season via trade from Seattle Reign FC (now OL Reign). Across all competitions in NWSL action, Kawasumi has appeared in more than 150 matches, with 116 starts, 26 assists, 22 goals and six game winners.

"Naho has been a very special part of our team," said Gotham FC Head Coach Juan Carlos Amoros. "She is a true example of professionalism and she is part of the history of Gotham FC and the world of women's soccer. It's been a privilege and an honor for me to be able to coach Nahomi Kawasumi. We wish her the best and thank her for her time with us and for helping us to start building a new Gotham FC."

She ties for third in the league for regular season assists with U.S. Women's National Team players Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave) and Lynn Williams (Gotham FC). Kawasumi remains only one of six players in league history with 20 or more career regular season goals combined with 25 or more career regular season assists.

"Since Naho joined Gotham FC in 2019, she has proven to be a dedicated, talented, and selfless player who helped lay the foundation of the culture we're building at the club," said General Manager and Head of Soccer Operations Yael Averbuch West. "Naho will always be part of our family and we're beyond thankful for the contribution she made during her four seasons with the club. We wish her continued success as she embarks on the next chapter of her remarkable career."

She began her professional career in 2008 with Japanese club INAC Kobe Leonessa in the WE League, where during her five years, Kawasumi won three league titles, two league MVP awards, and was nominated for Asian Women's Footballer of the Year in 2013.

Kawasumi has played at the national and international levels, shining on the world's stage at the Olympic Games and FIFA Women's World Cup. In the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, Kawasumi scored two goals over four appearances and helped Japan win the country's first-ever World Cup title.

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