LYON, France: Catarina Macario, a promising prospect for the U.S. womens national soccer team, has signed her first professional contract with French powerhouse Lyon.
The seven-time European champion said Tuesday that Macario, who joined from Stanford University, signed a 2 1/2-year deal until June 2023.
The Brazilian-born midfielder said last week she would skip her senior season and pursue a professional career.
Macario became an American citizen in October but she hasnt yet received approval from FIFA, soccers international governing body, to play for the U.S. national team.
The two-time winner of the MAC Hermann Trophy as the nations best college player, Macario had a Stanford single-season record of 32 goals and 23 assists last season. She was called up to her first national-team camp the same day she became a citizen.
It is a pleasure to begin my professional career at OL and to be surrounded by the worlds best players. OL represents victory, titles and trophies, and I am looking forward to arriving in Lyon and being part of the team,” she said. I know that many American players have worn an OL shirt before me, and I am honored to continue that tradition and to contribute to the teams success.”
Macario is the 11th American player to join Lyon.
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