Sky Blue FC Acquires Rebekah Stott And Katlyn Johnson From Seattle Reign FC

Sky Blue FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) announced that it has completed a trade with Seattle Reign FC. The New Jersey club acquired New Zealand Women's National Team defender Rebekah Stott and Mexico Women's National Team forward Katlyn Johnson in exchange for the rights to Australian Women's National Team forward Caitlin Foord. Foord was then traded to Portland Thorns FC (along with a conditional second round pick in the 2020 NWSL College Draft) and in return, Seattle gained U.S. Women's National Team midfielder Allie Long.

“I am really excited about internationals Stott and Johnson coming to Sky Blue FC,” said SBFC head coach Denise Reddy in a team press release. “Stott is a proven back in this league, and her ability on the ball and running a defensive line are top level. Johnson is an attacking powerhouse with the movement, awareness and technical ability to be a top forward in this league.”

Stott completed her first NWSL season in 2017, earning 18 starts in over 22 appearances and playing a total of 1714 minutes. Stott began her club career in 2010 for Brisbane Roar in the Australia W-League before spending the following two seasons with Melbourne Victory. She then moved to the Frauen-Bundesliga in Germany to play with SC Sand for two years before heading back to Australia in 2015 to join Melbourne City FC. There, she won the W-League championship during the 2015-16 campaign.

Stott was signed by Seattle ahead of the 2017 NWSL campaign after playing alongside Reign FC's Jessica Fishlock, Lauren Barnes and Beverly Yanez at City during the 2016-17 season. Stott is currently back with Melbourne City on loan, however, she will arrive in New Jersey ahead of the 2018 NWSL year.

A Papamoa, New Zealand native, Stott grew up in Australia and played for the Young Matildas at the U-17 and U-20 level. She then opted to represent her nation of birth at the senior level, making her debut for New Zealand in 2012. Stott was named to the Kiwis roster for the 2012 London Olympics and was featured in each match that New Zealand played in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada. Additionally, she eclipsed the half-century mark for the Kiwis when she recorded her 50th cap last summer at the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.

Johnson was drafted 16th overall by Seattle Reign FC in the 2017 NWSL College Draft. In her rookie season, she appeared in 23 matches - starting five of them - and scored four goals and added a pair of assists. Previously, she was a member of the University of Southern California women's soccer team where she played four years alongside Sky Blue FC defenders Kayla Mills and Mandy Freeman. The trio capped off their collegiate careers winning the 2016 NCAA College Cup, with Johnson scoring a goal in the semifinal and then a brace in the final to lead USC to its second national championship in program history.

Born in California, Johnson made her senior debut for the Mexico Women’s National Team in 2015. Since she shares dual citizenship with the United States and Mexico, Johnson will not occupy one of Sky Blue FC’s international roster spots.

Foord last played for Sky Blue FC in 2015, which was her third NWSL season in New Jersey. She spent the past two years in Japan with Vegalta Sendai, but her NWSL playing rights had been retained by Sky Blue FC since that move.