PRAIRIE VILLAGE, Kan. (Nov. 12, 2014) – FC Kansas City announced today the club has acquired defender Kate Deines from Seattle Reign FC, along with Seattle’s second round (No. 16 overall) and third round (No. 26 overall) draft picks in the 2015 NWSL College Draft. In exchange, the Blues sent the rights to midfielder Merritt Mathias to Reign FC.

“I am beyond excited to be a part of FC Kansas City,” Deines said. “This is a great opportunity for my career and I am looking forward to being a member of such a great team and a first class organization.”

Deines, 25, played 859 minutes and started nine out of the 18 games she played with Reign FC in 2014. The Portland, Ore. native made 35 total appearances over two seasons in Seattle. A graduate of the University of Washington, Deines started a school-record 86 games and scored 21 goals for the Huskies. She was also named a two-time NSCAA Scholar All-American.

“I am very happy to see a player of Kate’s caliber join our organization. Her knowledge, tenacity, hard work and determination are very welcomed in our family,” FC Kansas City head coach Vlatko Andonovski said. “On the other hand, we are sad to see Merritt go but she wanted a move and as an organization we do not want to stand in anyone’s way of achieving their career goals.”

Mathias, 24, played 1436 minutes in 20 games and recorded two assists for FC Kansas City in 2014. She also made 22 appearances for the Blues in 2013, registering two goals and three assists in the campaign.

“[Kansas City’s Director of Soccer Operations] Huw Williams did an exceptional job by getting two more draft picks,” Andonovski added. ”As an organization, we are also focusing on finding and developing young talent.”

Deines, who is currently playing on loan with FFC Turbine Potsdam in the German Frauen Bundesliga, will return to Kansas City prior to the start of the 2015 NWSL Season.

Kate Deines

Position: Defender

Date of Birth: September 17, 1989

Birthplace: Portland, Oregon

Height: 5’11’’

Previous club: Seattle Reign FC

How acquired: via trade on November 5, 2014

Twitter: @katedeines