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NWSL Racing Louisville FC

Paige Monaghan Signs Three-Year Deal with Racing

February 6, 2023 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Racing Louisville FC News Release


Paige Monaghan has agreed to a three-year contract with Racing Louisville FC after the club traded for her rights last month, it was announced Monday.

Monaghan's deal runs through the 2025 season.

"My first few weeks in Louisville have been nothing short of amazing, and I couldn't be more excited to be signing with Racing Louisville," Monaghan said. "In addition to top-tier facilities, staff and resources, the group of players we have here is truly special and has welcomed me with open arms. I'm ready to get to work toward the end goal of bringing a title to this city."

Racing traded the No. 4 overall pick in this year's NWSL Draft to NJ/NY Gotham FC in exchange for Monaghan, $150,000 in allocation money and a 2023 international slot, with coach Kim Björkegren saying that with Monaghan's pace and experience, "We know she will help us."

Used as a winger at Gotham FC, the New Jersey native is expected to compete for playing time at right back as well as on the attacking flanks. Racing's staff is familiar with Monaghan both from playing against and working with her given current Louisville assistant coach Bev Yanez held the same post at Gotham FC last season.

"We started to talk about Paige last year, and we felt that she was a good player who could be even better in a new environment," Björkegren said. "When we also heard from Bev that Paige is amazing off the pitch - professional and really popular in the group - then it was an easy decision to sign her when the offer came to us. In the short time here, Paige has already shown that she is the real deal."

Monaghan made 79 appearances across all competitions over four years for Gotham FC, tallying 10 goals and three assists. She played in every regular-season and Challenge Cup match last season, starting 23 times and scoring three goals.

A Butler University grad, Monaghan was a two-time All-Big East Conference performer who claimed the league's offensive player of the year award as a junior in 2017. She was the 10th pick in the 2019 NWSL Draft, and that same year she was invited to a United States Women's National Team identification camp after previous appearances with the national U-23 squad.

Monaghan signing a new deal continues the solidifying of Racing's foundation, joining goalkeeper Katie Lund and midfielders Savannah DeMelo, Jaelin Howell and Lauren Milliet in signing through the 2025 season. That's on top of some splashy international additions such as Brazilian international Ary Borges and Nigerian star Uchenna Kanu.

Racing finished the 2022 campaign on a high, winning three of its final four matches, including a 1-0 victory in the regular-season finale against the Kansas City Current, the eventual NWSL runner-up.

Racing, which began preseason training on Jan. 25, will see its 22-game NWSL regular season this year play out over seven months, starting on March 25. A full schedule is pending, with season, group and premium tickets on sale now by visiting RacingLouFC.com/tickets.

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