Angel City FC has signed U.S. women’s national team midfielder Julie Ertz to a one-year contract, the club has announced.
After not playing for club or country since the Olympics in 2021, Ertz made a surprise return to the USWNT and played in both of the team’s friendlies against Ireland earlier this month.
USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski made it clear that Ertz needed to find a club immediately in order to be considered for the World Cup roster, and the 31-year-old has now done so with the team that initially acquired her rights from Chicago in 2021.
“I am so thrilled to be joining one of the most exciting clubs in the world in Angel City FC,” Ertz said in a club release. “From the moment they traded for my rights up until now, they have been unwavering in their support of my journey. I cannot wait to get to work with the team and finally experience the amazing game day atmosphere.”
“Having Angel City want me from the beginning is motivating,” Ertz added, “because someone respects the way you play, and that goes a long way. They wanted me on the team before and now.”
After never agreeing to a contract with Angel City, Ertz became a free agent this past offseason.
“Julie is a world-class player who has proven herself time and again at both club and national team levels,” said head coach Freya Coombe. “In addition to her quality on the ball, she will help us defend higher up the field and against opponent transition. Her leadership and World Cup and Olympic medal-winning experience will undoubtedly help us on our quest for a championship.”
Ertz announced she was pregnant in April of last year and gave birth to her son Madden in August.
Her return to the USWNT was not expected, as Andonovski said in February that his side would “probably not” be able to count on Ertz at the World Cup.
With three months to go until the tournament kicks off in Australia and New Zealand, Ertz could make her Angel City debut in Sunday’s game against San Diego. It would be the midfielder’s first NWSL appearance in nearly two years.
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