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Gotham FC Signs 2023 Fourth Overall NWSL Draft Pick Jenna Nighswonger

March 17, 2023 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
NJ/NY Gotham FC News Release


HARRISON, NJ - NJ/NY Gotham FC has signed midfielder/forward Jenna Nighswonger to a three-year contract through the 2025 NWSL season. After a standout career at Florida State University, Nighswonger was selected by Gotham FC with the fourth overall selection in the 2023 NWSL Draft.

"I'm tremendously excited to officially sign with a great club in Gotham FC and to know I'll be playing in the NWSL - a league I've been watching for so long," said Nighswonger. "When I'm on the field or in the locker room, I look at the amazing athletes who are now alongside me with Gotham FC, and it's so rewarding and thrilling. People I've looked up to are now my teammates, and I've learned they are all such incredible human beings. Everyone on this team has gone out of their way to make me feel welcome. I'm really proud to be part of a team with a culture like that. To me, there's going to be a rebirth of this club, and it means everything that the leadership at Gotham FC drafted and now has signed me to a contract to be part of it."

In 2022, Nighswonger was one of three finalists for the MAC Hermann Award as the top player in women's college soccer. Last season at Florida State, she recorded six goals and 16 assists in 22 games while leading the team to its third consecutive College Cup. She was named ACC Tournament MVP and was also honored by the United Soccer Coaches and College Soccer News as a First Team All-American. Her 34 career assists with the Seminoles place Nighswonger second all-time in the school's record books.

As an example of Nighswonger's commitment to important causes, she donated money from her NIL deal last season to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

"Jenna is an extremely intelligent and skillful player," said Gotham FC GM and Head of Soccer Operations Yael Averbuch West. "As we saw while scouting her at Florida State and continue to see throughout her very impressive training camp with us this month at IMG Academy, Jenna is thoughtful about her preparation and she already has a very professional mindset. We're excited to finalize Jenna's first NWSL contract and look forward to the start of her pro career. We know she's going to become a favorite of the fans of Gotham FC."

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