Australian Duo Joining New Jersey Side Following the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup

Morristown, N.J. (Monday, Feb. 23, 2015) – Sky Blue FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) announced on Monday that the team has officially come to terms with Australian Women’s National Team players Caitlin Foord and Samantha Kerr, pending receipt of their P-1 Visas and International Transfer Certificates (ITC). Per league and club policy, details of the contracts were not made public.

“These signings are going to give our club a real boost over the second half of the season,” Sky Blue FC technical director and head coach Jim Gabarra stated. “Even though Caitlin and Samantha are still at a really young age, they have a lot of experience at the international level and in our league. I am looking forward to them continuing their huge developmental trajectory.”

Entering her third year with Sky Blue FC, Foord has been a defensive anchor for the New Jersey side ever since she first arrived in the Garden State. Over two seasons, she has started 35 times over 36 appearances, contributing three assists on the offensive end. After her rookie campaign in 2013, she also received NWSL Second XI accolades. Foord, 20, was the youngest Australian to ever play in a World Cup match when she was suited up for the Matildas at the age of 16 during the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany. At its conclusion, she was also selected as the Best Young Player of the tournament.

Foord most recently played for Perth Glory of the Australian W-League, where she and Kerr helped the team to an appearance in the league championship.

“I am really pleased to have re-signed with Sky Blue FC,” Foord said of returning to New Jersey. “I am looking forward to re-joining some of my former teammates and returning to Sky Blue FC after the World Cup for the 2015 NWSL season. The fans and staff of the club have been great, and hopefully we can have a successful season. It is also especially exciting that Sky Blue FC was able to sign Sam Kerr and that we will get to play in the same team in the NWSL this season.”

The rights to Kerr, 21, were acquired by Sky Blue FC in November when the team completed a trade with the Western New York Flash. The Australian playmaker had a big season for the Flash in 2014, leading the club with nine goals while finishing third on the team with four assists. She made 20 appearances for Western New York last year, starting every match. During her first NWSL campaign in 2013, Kerr started 19 games over 21 appearances, registering six goals and five assists to help lead the Flash to the NWSL Shield. The Flash eventually fell to Portland Thorns FC in the 2013 NWSL Championship match.

Internationally, Kerr made her debut for the Australian Women’s National Team in 2009, just five months after her 15th birthday. Two years later, she made two starts in three appearances for the Matildas in the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

“I am really excited to be joining my Matildas teammate Caitlin Foord at Sky Blue FC,” Kerr remarked. “I of course also look forward to joining all my new teammates and meeting all the staff and fans of Sky Blue FC. I would like to take this opportunity also to thank the staff and fans of the Western New York Flash for my time at the club, but I am looking forward to a new challenge and helping Sky Blue FC be successful in the 2015 NWSL competition.”

Currently ranked 10th in the world, the Australian Women’s National Team was selected into Group D of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada, and it will play the United States, Sweden and Nigeria in the opening round of the tournament. Foord and Kerr will join Sky Blue FC at the conclusion of Australia’s participation in the World Cup.

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