ORLANDO, Fla. (November 6, 2017) - Orlando Pride defender Monica has been loaned to Atlético Madrid, the club announced today. Monica will be the fifth Pride player to join a club during the 2017-18 offseason, as Steph Catley, Alanna Kennedy, Toni Pressley and Rachel Hill are all currently competing in Australia’s Westfield W-League.

“This is a great chance for Monica to bring her veteran leadership and international experience to a new club and continue developing as a player,” Orlando Pride Head Coach Tom Sermanni said. “Being in a new culture and playing in a new system makes it an exciting opportunity for her to add to her skill set.”

Monica, 30, recently completed her second season with the Pride, making 19 appearances and totaling 1,284 minutes on the backline. In Week 21, the Brazilian international teamed up with Ashlyn Harris to deny Portland’s Ashleigh Sykes and win NWSL Save of the Week.

Atlético Madrid competes in Spain’s Primera Division, the highest level of women’s soccer in the country, and is the sister club of the men’s La Liga side with the same name. Atlético Madrid is in the midsts of defending it’s 2016-17 championship and is undefeated thus far with a 7-0-1 record.

Monica and Atletico next face UDG Tenerife on Sunday, Nov. 12. She will rejoin the Pride for the start of the 2018 NWSL preseason.