Angel City Football Club acquired forward Messiah Bright from the Orlando Pride in a trade announced Friday.
The Pride will receive $130,000 in intra-league transfer funds.
Bright led NWSL rookies last season with seven goals. A finalist for 2023 NWSL Rookie of the Year, she was the first player in league history to earn both player and rookie of the month awards in the same month.
“Messiah stepped into this league as a first time professional last season and demonstrated that she belonged,” Angel City general manager Angela Hucles Mangano said in a news release. “She has an uncanny ability to find the back of the net and we’re looking forward to seeing her do that in the Angel City uniform.”
In college, the Texan played in 102 matches and contributed 50 goals and 17 assists for TCU before Orlando picked her No. 21 overall in the 2023 NWSL Draft.
She said she was looking forward to playing in Los Angeles.
“This group looks so special and I can’t wait to be a part of it,” Bright, 24, said. “I want to bring the very best version of myself and only push every day to get better.”
Angel City finished the 2023 season with an 8-7-7 record. The fifth-place club tied with Orlando with 31 points.
–Field Level Media