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Orlando Pride Acquires Brazilian National Team Forward Adriana

January 19, 2023 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) - Orlando Pride News Release


ORLANDO, Fla. - The Orlando Pride has acquired Adriana Leal da Silva, more commonly known as Adriana, via transfer from Brazilian side Corinthians, it was announced today. Adriana joins the Pride on a three-year contract, pending receipt of a P-1 visa and ITC, with Allocation Money used in both the signing and transfer.

"Adriana is an exciting, dynamic and entertaining player with an eye for the goal. She possesses great technical ability and an incredible work rate, and we're extremely happy to have her as part of the Pride," Orlando Pride Head Coach Seb Hines said. "She's a player that thrives in one-on-one situations and one that will bring new attacking power to our front line. Adriana is already a winner for club and country but still has an ambition to take her career to the next level, and we're happy to have her do so here in Orlando."

"I am very happy to have signed with Orlando Pride, a special club. I am happy and excited to arrive there quickly and be able to do my best on the field to help Orlando win titles," Adriana said. "It's a big challenge ahead and we athletes are motivated by challenges. I'm ready to face all of them with all our strength as a team and fight tooth-and-nail. I hope it's a very successful season for myself and for Orlando. Again, I am very happy to be part of this great club."

Nicknamed "the Wizard", Adriana has spent the previous five seasons with Brazilian side Corinthians, with her 2019 season shortened due to injury. Over her career in São Paulo, Adriana made 143 appearances, with 120 of them starts, scoring 72 goals, the second-highest in Corinthians history.

The forward led "Meu Timão" to a decorated history, with 10 total titles and a 116-9-18 record in games in which she appeared. Through her time, Adriana and Corinthians won the Brazilian Championship in 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2022; Copa Libertadores in 2021; the Paulista Championship in 2019, 2020 and 2021; as well as both the Brazilian Super Cup and Paulista Cup in 2022.

In 2018, after scoring 26 goals in 37 games and leading her side to the Brazilian Championship, the União, Brazil, native was named "Prêmio Craque do Brasileirão" - Player of the Year - by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF). Adriana was named to the CBF's Team of the Year in both 2021 and 2022, the first two years the award was given in women's football.

Prior to joining Corinthians, Adriana spent 2013-15 with Tiradentes and 2016-17 with Rio Preto.

Adriana made her debut for the Brazilian national team in 2017, scoring her first goal five days after her senior team debut, in a win over China. The forward was named to Brazil's roster for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup, but was ultimately replaced on the roster due to injury.

In 2021, Adriana was part of Brazil's squad for the SheBelieves Cup hosted at Exploria Stadium, scoring a goal on Feb. 18 in a 4-1 win over Argentina (watch). Over her national team career, Adriana has scored 12 goals for the Seleção, including back-to-back braces against Argentina and Uruguay at the 2022 Copa América Femenina. With five goals in the tournament, Adriana tied countrywoman Debinha for second-highest goalscorer of the tournament, with her country ultimately lifting the trophy.

Season tickets for the 2023 Orlando Pride campaign are now on sale, with more information available at the link here.

TRANSACTION: Orlando Pride acquires Adriana Leal da Silva via transfer and signs the forward to a three-year contract, with Allocation Money used in the transfer and signing.

Adriana Leal da Silva (aye-DREE-ah-nuh)

Position: Forward

Number: 9

Height: 5-5

Born: November 17, 1996

Hometown: União, Piauí, Brazil

Citizenship: Brazil

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