The Western New York Flash of Women’s Professional Soccer announced Tuesday night that they have acquired Brazilian star and five-time FIFA World Player of the Year, Marta. In a statement, the team said that it has taken over the third year of Marta’s contract. “We are thrilled to bring Marta to the WNY area,” Head Coach Aaran Lines said. “This is an incredible opportunity for the community and youth soccer players to embrace one of the best female players ever in their hometown. She has incredible physical attributes matched with phenomenal technical abilities. She is an extremely exciting player to watch and is important to the women’s game, and we are excited for her arrival.” Marta is currently on loan with Santos FC in Brazil. WNY Flash have not said when she will report to the team.
This past weekend, it appeared as if Marta was close to signing with magicTalk SC. In an interview with Our Game Magazine Saturday morning, magicTalk SC owner Dan Borislow said, “I don’t want to press her and her agent. They know who they can call. They know there’s a super opportunity here for them. With or without her, we have the best team that could ever be compiled. With her, we’re a legendary team.”
But Marta is now heading to Western New York to join a team that already features Canadian National Team forward Christine Sinclair, U.S. Women’s National Team midfielder Yael Averbuch, Swedish Women’s National Team midfielder Caroline Seger, Canadian Women’s National Team defender Candace Chapman, the number one pick in the 2011 WPS Draft/U.S. Women’s National team forward Alex Morgan, 2010 WPS Rookie of the Year Ali Riley, McCall Zerboni, Ashlyn Harris, Whitney Engen, Brittany Cameron, Brittany Bock, Kandace Wilson, Beverly Goebel, and Kaley Fountain.