FC Honga goalkeeper Sofia Manner is moving to Orlando Pride on a three-year contract. No player from the national league has previously moved directly to the NWSL professional league.
Goalkeeper of FC Honga Sofia Manner moves to play in the American professional league Orlando Pride on a three-year contract. Last season, 26-year-old Manner was one of the best players in the National League with ten clean sheets.
The transfer is significant in Finnish women’s soccer, as no players from the National League have previously transferred directly to the NWSL, which is one of the toughest women’s soccer leagues in the world. General Manager of FC Honga Velimatti Sutelan according to the transfer amount paid from the Continent is the largest in the history of the National League.
– Manner’s direct transfer to the NWSL series shows that the level of the National League is also sufficient for a direct transfer to the world’s toughest soccer leagues. I believe that the interest of the National League abroad will increase with each player transfer, Sutela stated in Honga’s press release.
In the 2024 season, in addition to the mainland, for example world stars will play in Orlando Pride’s colors Marta, Adriana and Amanda Allen.
– We are convinced of Manner’s potential. Manner’s work in Finland has shown that he wants to strive for the best as an athlete, Orlando Pride’s VP of Soccer Operations and General Manager Haley Carter said.
In his career, Manner has also previously played in the USA at Stony Brook University and last year in Iceland. However, he gives special praise to Honga.
– FC Honka is the most significant club in my playing career, and I cannot thank the coaches and the whole club enough for everything. I have been able to live a high-quality athlete’s everyday life in an encouraging atmosphere and focus on playing with great players. It has further increased my own passion for football.