Catarina Macario is moving to London.
Just days after leaving Lyon, Chelsea officially announced that the U.S. women’s national team attacker has signed a three-year contract with the Women’s Super League champions that will begin on July 1.
“I can’t wait to get started here! I’m really happy to sign for Chelsea and I hope to represent the jersey well over the next few years,” Macario said in a team statement confirming the news. “I’m looking forward to linking up with so many good forward players such as Sam [Kerr], Lauren James and Guro [Reiten]. It will be good to play with Kadeisha [Buchanan] again also.”
“Cat is one of the most intelligent, creative attacking players in the world who I think will blossom in this Chelsea team,” Chelsea manager Emma Hayes said. “She brings a great deal of flair, European experience, and an unbelievable winning mentality. I think our fans will really love her.”
Our No.9! 😍 pic.twitter.com/CqKmfDXj9W
— (C)helsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) June 9, 2023
Macario followed one of the most dominant collegiate careers in recent memory by signing with Lyon in January 2021, quickly forcing her way into a starting role at arguably the most star-studded women’s team on the planet.
Over the next one-and-a-half years, Macario stood out for the French power, producing 19 goals and five assists in 27 Division 1 Féminine (D1F) appearances. In the more difficult Champions League, the results were much the same: 10 goals and two assists in 14 appearances. Macario became the first American to score in a UEFA Champions League final as Lyon upset Barcelona to win the 2021-22 edition of the tournament.
Macario followed that goal up with the winner in a 1-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain that clinched another D1F championship for Lyon, but the joy was short-lived. Three days later, in Lyon’s final game of the entire season, Macario suffered a torn ACL, and has not played since.
Despite an initial timeline pointing to Macario returning before this summer’s World Cup, the 23-year-old suffered some unspecified setbacks during her recovery. Last month, Macario ruled herself out of the World Cup.
However, Chelsea would have required a medical exam before offering the USWNT star a contract. The club made note that Macario is on course to return to playing without being diminished, saying “she continues to make good progress with her rehabilitation ahead of her first season with the Blues.”
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