Red Stars Sign Sweden's Kosovare Asllani
Published on December 4, 2009 under Women's Professional Soccer (WPS)
Chicago Stars FC News Release
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. - The Chicago Red Stars announce the signing of Linköpings FC forward Kosovare Asllani for the team's 2010 Women's Professional Soccer season. Asllani's official signing is pending the league's approval.
The 20-year-old Asllani already has established herself among top-flight soccer, joining Linköpings in 2007 and earning a championship this past season in Damallsvenskan, the premier women's league in Sweden. Asllani also has been a part of the Swedish National Team since 2008.
With WPS entering its second season of play, Asllani saw the chance to join the Red Stars as a motivating opportunity.
"I am excited to join the Chicago Red Stars, in the best league in the world," Asllani said. "I am a player with high ambitions and thus in great need to be challenged day in and day out. I want to be in an environment that will help me become the best I can be, and I believe Chicago -- and WPS -- is the right place to be."
In the eyes of Red Stars head coach Emma Hayes, she sees many similarities between Asllani's rise at a young age and Red Stars midfielder Karen Carney's fast growth as a player.
"In a space of three years, she moved from the second division of Swedish soccer to being the second top goal scorer along with Jessica Landström," Hayes said. "Then she starred in the Euros. Her rise has been meteoric in a three-year period."
Asllani helped lead Sweden to the 2008 UEFA European Women's U-19 semifinals.
She was called up to the national team for UEFA Women's Euro 2009 several months ago.
"She has the confidence that you need in a player," Hayes said. "She's full of flair, technical, cheeky, quick, and she's got a good bit of Euro grit to her. Talent-wise, we have undoubtedly taken the most talented young player out of Sweden, period."
"To play in WPS at this young age, to compete against the best players, is something I am looking forward to," Asllani said. "Chicago represents hard work, attacking and technical football, which is the type of football I like. I have heard great things about Chicago as a city, Toyota Park as a stadium and the Red Stars as a team, and I know the 2010 season is going to be exciting."
Asllani will wear No. 10 on her jersey. Per team policy, terms of Asllani's contract are not released.
Women's Professional Soccer Stories from December 4, 2009
- Red Stars Sign Sweden's Kosovare Asllani - Chicago Stars FC
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
