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With the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) opener a little more than two months away, the Sky Blue FC may have just solved one of its' biggest question marks that will also hopefully lead to more excitement at Yurcak Field.
Today, the Sky Blue FC announced signing Danish international and last year's instant offense Nadia Nadim for the upcoming season.
Nadim drew raves from the coaches and the oohs and aahs from the fans by scoring seven goals and adding three assists in just six matches for the Sky Blue FC near the end of the season, after being on loan from Fortuna Hjoring. The seven goals tied her with Kelley O'Hara for the team lead. She had a hat trick against the Houston Dash and her scoring spree sparked SBFC to a five-game winning streak that just fell short of the playoffs.
Although the club was optimistic about their chances of signing the striker, it wasn't until today when the New Jersey side announced that it was a done deal.
"Signing Nadia was our top objective coming out of last season," Sky Blue FC technical director and head coach Jim Gabarra said. "We had some great momentum when she arrived last year and we want to continue that momentum into this season. This is huge for both Sky Blue FC and the league itself in signing a player of Nadia's caliber and we are very much looking forward to having her for the entire season."
Nadim, born in Afghanistan but raised in Denmark since age 12, has played for the Danish national team since she was 18. She began her club career there in 2005, playing for B52 Aalborg, Team Viborg, IK Skovbakken and Fortuna Hjorring.
Denmark did not qualify for this summer's Women's World Cup in Canada, ensuring her to be on the Sky Blue roster for the entire season.